Ricketts Champions AI Innovation and Safety

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is leading the charge to position the United States as a leader on Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation and safety. “A world where Communist China leads the AI race is bad for the United States and the entire world,” said Senator Ricketts. “That’s why I support efforts to strengthen American innovation while creating guardrails to ensure Americans’ safety. “Communist China knows no boundaries when it comes to competition. Beijing sees AI as a way to beat us both militarily and economically. But American innovation is superior. We have the resources, technology, and opportunity to win. “Winning the AI race means preventing China from gaining access to our most advanced technology. It also means implementing commonsense guardrails to protect Americans without stifling innovation. “The stakes are high. Maintaining America’s global leadership in AI is a matter of national security. We need smart policies that protect Americans, sustain innovation, and ensure the future of AI is led by the United States.” Senator Ricketts has championed legislation to strengthen AI innovation and development, protect America’s competitiveness against Communist China, and prioritize Americans’ safety and security. The Secure and Feasible Exports of Chips Act (SAFE Chips Act). This bill would limit the export of advanced AI chips to Communist China. It would protect America’s technological advantage and prevent Communist China from using U.S.-designed chips to accelerate its AI capabilities. Read the SAFE Chips Act here . Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware Act (MATCH Act). This bill would prevent Communist China from buying “chokepoint” semiconductor manufacturing equipment (SME) technology from the United States and our allies that they cannot build themselves. It would close gaps in allied export controls that Communist China exploits to acquire sensitive semiconductor technology and advance its domestic chip industry. Read the MATCH Act here . Read Senator Ricketts’ Washington Times op-ed here . Guidelines for User Age-verification and Responsible Dialogue Act (GUARD Act). This bill would ban AI companions for minors. It would require age verification and mandatory AI disclosures for all users to protect children from AI chatbots. Read the GUARD Act here . U.S. Technology Procurement and Access to Trusted Hardware Act (Tech PATH Act). This bill would support the procurement of American cyber and digital technology by partner countries. It would help our allies and partners adopt trusted American technology while reducing reliance on technology from Communist China and other foreign adversaries. Read the Tech PATH Act here . Ratepayer Protection Act. This bill would give states and local communities the leverage to negotiate on data centers in communities. It would prevent ratepayers from footing the bill for the full utility costs of data centers needed to operate. Read the Ratepayer Protection Act here .As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy, Senator Ricketts deals with policies related to international cybersecurity and addressing matters on Artificial Intelligence.