Democratic lawmakers are pushing new safeguards on the US military’s use of artificial intelligence, seeking tighter oversight of its battlefield applications.
Separate bills introduced by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Elissa Slotkin would restrict the Department of Defense’s use of AI in nuclear weapons launches, domestic surveillance, and autonomous weapons systems.
Both lawmakers are expected to seek amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act that would require human involvement in decisions involving the use of force and other high-consequence military actions.
In a statement, Gillibrand said: “The most critical decisions affecting our national security and the lives of our service members must always be made by human beings, not unaccountable machines.”
“Right now, the Pentagon is moving toward deploying incredibly powerful AI technology without commonsense guardrails in place, which could have catastrophic consequences that make all of us less safe,” she added.
The latest proposal follows a similar measure introduced by Slotkin earlier this year that sought to prohibit AI from making autonomous lethal decisions and conducting surveillance of Americans.
Growing Debate Over AI Guardrails
The legislative push comes amid growing debate over the role of artificial intelligence in military applications.
Earlier this year, Pentagon officials warned that restrictions imposed by commercial AI providers could limit operational planning and battlefield use.
Amid disputes, public opinion has leaned toward greater oversight. A recent YouGov–Economist poll found that 44 percent of Americans support limits on military AI use, while 25 percent favor unrestricted deployment.
