New Jersey Representative Josh Gottheimer has advocated for the creation of federal safeguards for artificial intelligence (AI) through a bipartisan legislative effort. Gottheimer partnered with Republican New York Representative Mike Lawler to introduce the Stop Rogue AI Act, which aims to establish comprehensive national guidelines for controlling AI agents.
Mandating Federal Standards for AI Safety
Under the proposed Stop Rogue AI Act, the legislation would require the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop specific national standards governing AI control. Gottheimer emphasized that while AI presents significant potential across numerous sectors, the benefits cannot be realized safely unless the technology is regulated properly to mitigate potential risks.
Speaking to political reporter Marcia Kramer during an appearance on “The Point,” Gottheimer stressed the critical need for government oversight before powerful new AI models are widely released. He stated the government must test these models for national security reasons and determine if they are safe for public use or if modifications are required.
When we review these new models … the government, for national security purposes, should be the one testing it and saying, ‘This is OK’ or ‘Make these changes’ before they get let out into the wild.
The Need for Regulation
The representative warned that unchecked development could lead to substantial danger, arguing that the current pace of AI advancement must be managed with caution. He emphasized that the goal of the legislation is to ensure public safety while still allowing the nation to lead the technological race.
Gottheimer elaborated on the necessity of this regulatory framework, stating: “This can’t be the Wild West, and I guess that’s my biggest thing. As we develop this, we gotta be smart. We gotta make sure that people are safe.” He added that the current legislative effort is designed to help the country “win the race, but in the right way.”
