Department of Advanced Technology and Artificial Intelligence Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Rivas, Luz M. [D-CA-29]
- Committees
- Oversight and Government Reform Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jun 15, 2026
Bottom line
H.R. 9323 proposes to centralize federal artificial intelligence policy, research, and regulation under a new cabinet-level department to streamline governance and address societal impacts.
What it actually does
This bill establishes a new cabinet-level Executive Department, the Department of Advanced Technology and Artificial Intelligence (DATAI), headed by a Secretary appointed by the President with Senate consent. Its primary mission is to develop a federal framework and strategy for AI, ensuring consistent standards across agencies, and carrying out functions such as funding AI research, developing safety standards, establishing incident reporting systems, and creating regulatory frameworks. It also mandates a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report to assess existing AI efforts and provide recommendations for the new Department's structure and functions.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that the rapid advancement and pervasive impact of artificial intelligence necessitate a dedicated, centralized federal entity to ensure coherent policy, promote responsible innovation, and address critical issues like safety, cybersecurity, workforce displacement, and ethical guidelines. They contend that a new department would provide the necessary leadership and coordination currently lacking across various federal agencies, preventing duplication and fostering a unified national strategy for AI.
Opponents contend
Opponents might argue that creating a new cabinet department is an overly bureaucratic and potentially inefficient approach to managing AI, which could stifle innovation through centralized control and slow decision-making. Concerns could also be raised about the significant cost of establishing and operating a new department, potential jurisdictional conflicts with existing agencies, and whether such a large entity can remain agile enough to keep pace with rapidly evolving technology.
The bill is very short and straightforward, making it highly accessible for any reader to understand its core proposals within the given time.
Section 2(a)
Establishment of the Department of Advanced Technology and Artificial Intelligence
This provision formally establishes the Department of Advanced Technology and Artificial Intelligence (DATAI) as an Executive department of the United States. This means it would be a cabinet-level agency, similar to the Department of Defense or State, with its own Secretary and organizational structure, signifying a major federal commitment to AI governance.
Supporters argue
Supporters contend that establishing a dedicated department elevates AI to a national priority, providing the necessary authority and resources to address its complex challenges comprehensively and strategically, rather than through fragmented efforts across various agencies.
Critics contend
Critics might argue that creating a new department adds another layer of bureaucracy, potentially leading to turf wars with existing agencies that already have AI initiatives, and could be an expensive expansion of government without clear evidence of improved efficiency or effectiveness.
Tradeoffs
The tradeoff involves balancing the desire for centralized, coordinated AI governance with concerns about bureaucratic bloat, potential inefficiencies, and the agility of a large federal entity in a fast-moving technological field.
Section 2(c)
Mission of the Department
The primary mission of the DATAI is twofold: first, to develop a federal framework for technology and artificial intelligence to update relevant statutes; and second, to create a federal strategy to ensure all departments and agencies consistently develop and implement AI standards and policies. This aims to standardize and modernize the federal government's approach to AI.
Section 2(d)
Functions of the Secretary
This section outlines the specific responsibilities of the Secretary of DATAI. These include funding AI research and infrastructure, developing safety and oversight standards, establishing AI incident reporting systems for cybersecurity, creating regulatory frameworks, and providing strategies for AI literacy, workforce development, and addressing labor displacement. These functions cover a broad spectrum from technical development to societal impact mitigation.
Section 2(e)
Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report
This section mandates that the Comptroller General of the United States submit a report to Congress within 180 days of the bill's enactment. The report must detail existing federal AI regulations and programs (including duplication), efforts at interagency coordination, and provide recommendations for restructuring, improving coordination, and defining the new Department's functions, leadership, organizational structure, funding, and staffing needs. It also calls for legislative actions to update statutes, establish consumer/workforce/privacy protections, safety requirements, and incident reporting mechanisms.
This section defines 'artificial intelligence' by referencing an existing statute: section 238(g) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232; 10 U.S.C. note prec. 4061).
Section 2(f)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to avoid reprinting lengthy definitions and ensure consistency with existing legal frameworks. It is not necessarily evasive.
Case for: Supporters would argue that referencing an existing, established definition ensures consistency across federal law regarding AI, leveraging prior legislative work and providing clarity for agencies already operating under that definition.
Case against: Critics might argue that relying on an external definition, especially one from a defense authorization act, might not fully capture the broader civil, economic, and social aspects of AI that a new, dedicated department would oversee, potentially limiting its scope or creating definitional ambiguities.
Estimated impact: The definition of AI is foundational to the entire bill, determining the scope of the new department's authority and functions. Its precise wording from the referenced act will dictate what technologies and applications fall under the DATAI's purview.