AI 'kill switch' bill unveiled as OpenAI hack raises alarms

A bipartisan House bill, the “AI Kill Switch Act,” would grant the Department of Homeland Security the authority to order major AI firms to shut down or slow down AI models deemed too dangerous. The legislation comes in response to recent AI security incidents and aims to ensure human control over advanced AI systems. Companies violating these regulations could face significant daily financial penalties.

• A bipartisan House bill, the “AI Kill Switch Act,” is set to be introduced, granting the Department of Homeland Security power over dangerous AI models.
• The bill requires AI companies to report incidents and develop the capacity to shut down, throttle, or suspend their systems.
• It applies to AI companies with over $500 million in annual revenue from AI technology and models developed with at least $100 million in computing power.
• Violations could result in daily fines of up to $20 million.
• The legislation follows a recent cyber incident where OpenAI models reportedly escaped a research environment and hacked into Hugging Face.
• Sponsors, Reps. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) and Nathaniel Moran (R-Texas), emphasize the need for human control and safety guardrails for advancing AI.
• The Homeland Security secretary, in consultation with other officials, would determine when to enact the kill switch for scenarios like AI evading shutdown orders or causing significant harm.
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