US Lawmakers Propose 'AI Kill Switch' to Throttle Frontier Models
The AI Kill Switch Act would let Homeland Security order frontier AI systems shut down, with fines up to $20M per day.
A new bill introduced in the US Congress, the AI Kill Switch Act, would grant the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the authority to order the throttling or shutdown of frontier artificial intelligence systems deemed an urgent threat.
The proposed legislation would impose fines of up to $20 million per day on companies that defy such an order. The bill targets advanced AI models that could pose risks to national security or critical infrastructure.
- Sponsors argue that current voluntary commitments are insufficient to prevent catastrophic AI misuse.
- Critics warn the measure could hamper innovation and give the government excessive control over AI development.
- The bill is still in early stages and must pass both chambers to become law.
If enacted, the DHS would define criteria for when an AI system qualifies as a frontier model subject to the kill switch mechanism. The bill is part of a broader push by US lawmakers to regulate rapidly advancing AI technology.