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On Monday, Sens. John Hickenlooper, D-Co., and Dave McCormick, R-Pa., jointly unveiled a new Senate Bipartisan Science and Innovation Caucus that aims to investigate and support U.S. scientific research and innovation – and weigh in on AI policy.

While the caucus’ focus will hit a wide array of topics, Hickenlooper said that he anticipates the caucus examining AI policy issues like regulation. 

Speaking to Nextgov/FCW at the caucus launch event, Hickenlooper acknowledged the pressing global rivalry with countries like China to develop the most advanced AI systems, but he said it doesn’t negate AI’s threat potential. 

“We want to be careful and make sure that we don't have something running amok that could cause large amounts of damage,” Hickenlooper said, adding that the new caucus will start working on these issues soon to keep up with AI developments. 

As the ranking member on the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology and Data Privacy, Hickenlooper acknowledged that there is overlap in committee jurisdiction over different AI subject matter. 

In addition to AI, the caucus will focus on promoting policy that advance aspects of the U.S. scientific enterprise; examining its potential benefits and threats; its economic and national security impact; and how legislation could benefit it. 

“I think you look at the things that distinguish America,” McCormick said. “Most of them are investments in science and a parallel expansion into the growth of entrepreneurship at the highest level.”

The Science and Innovation Caucus follows news that House Democrats are contemplating the creation of a new select committee on AI if they take control of the chamber following midterm elections.