AI Kill Switch Act would grant government power to shut down AI systems
A proposed law, the AI Kill Switch Act, would empower U.S. officials to order the shutdown of AI systems deemed capable of causing "catastrophic harm." The legislation would allow administrations to intervene in AI operations when necessary.
A new legislative proposal, the AI Kill Switch Act, has been introduced in the United States, granting federal officials the authority to mandate the cessation of AI systems identified as posing a risk of "catastrophic harm." The bill's sponsors announced this development today.
If passed by Congress, the act would empower the Trump administration and subsequent administrations to determine when an AI company must restrict user access, disable specific functionalities, or completely halt an AI system. The legislation would obligate AI developers to implement technical safeguards enabling them to throttle or shut down systems upon government directive.
The bill proposes an amendment to the Homeland Security Act of 2002, bestowing upon the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security the power to order the suspension or shutdown of AI systems. Developers failing to comply with such an order could face daily fines of up to $20 million for each day a violation persists.