A bill to require a report on the use of artificial intelligence with respect to access to unminimized information collected pursuant to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, and for other purposes.
- Sponsor
- Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
- Committees
- Judiciary Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Apr 27, 2026
Bottom line
The bill aims to increase transparency and oversight regarding the intelligence community's use of AI with highly sensitive, unminimized FISA-collected data.
What it actually does
This bill mandates a comprehensive report from the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence on all current uses of artificial intelligence systems that access unminimized information collected under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). It also establishes a notification requirement for any future deployment of such AI systems, ensuring congressional and judicial oversight before new systems are granted access to sensitive intelligence data.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue this bill is crucial for ensuring accountability and transparency in the intelligence community's use of advanced AI technologies, especially given the sensitive nature of FISA-collected data. They contend that understanding how AI systems are trained, deployed, and monitored is essential to protect civil liberties and prevent potential misuse or errors, reinforcing congressional and judicial oversight of surveillance practices.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that requiring such detailed reports and notifications could inadvertently reveal sensitive intelligence capabilities or operational methods, potentially hindering national security efforts. They might also contend that existing oversight mechanisms are sufficient and that additional reporting requirements could create unnecessary bureaucratic burdens on intelligence agencies, slowing down critical technological advancements.
The bill is very short and clear, allowing for quick comprehension by any interested reader.
Section 1
Adopting Existing AI Definition
This section clarifies that the term "artificial intelligence" throughout the bill will use the definition already established in section 5002 of the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020. This avoids creating a new, potentially conflicting definition and ensures consistency with existing federal law regarding AI.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that using an established definition provides clarity and consistency, preventing ambiguity in what constitutes an "artificial intelligence system" for the purposes of this bill. This streamlines implementation and leverages existing legal frameworks.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against definitional provisions that reference existing law, as they aim for clarity rather than policy change.
Tradeoffs
The primary tension is ensuring the referenced definition remains relevant and comprehensive enough for the rapidly evolving field of AI, without needing constant legislative updates to the bill itself.
Section 2(a) and 2(b)
Comprehensive Report on AI Access to Unminimized FISA Information
This provision requires the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence to submit a detailed report within 120 days of the bill's enactment. The report must describe all current uses of artificial intelligence systems that have access to unminimized information collected under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). It mandates specific details for each AI system, including its purpose, testing procedures, development entity, training data, access scope, and any prior reporting to the FISA Court.
Section 3
Pre-Deployment Notification for New AI Systems
This section establishes a forward-looking requirement: before any new artificial intelligence system is granted access to unminimized information collected under FISA, the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence must jointly notify the specified congressional committees and FISA Court judges. This notification must include the proposed name, function, and access level of the AI system, along with an assessment of its compliance with FISA and other relevant laws and court orders.