AI is a mixed bag, offering great promise but also coming with serious pitfalls. To fully benefit from AI, it's crucial to gain the trust of the American people, ensuring that AI systems enhance human potential rather than degrade it. The main question policymakers should address is how to maximize the benefits of AI, like improved medical diagnosis, while minimizing risks, such as algorithmic discrimination. Congress has recognized the importance of regulating AI and has made progress in bipartisan AI legislation since 2018. However, the challenge lies in the slow pace of Congress compared to rapid technological advancements. While comprehensive AI legislation is debated, there is a risk of not taking necessary steps to maximize benefits and reduce harms. Nevertheless, there is a middle ground where Congress can act promptly.

In the interim, policymakers can respond to the AI moment by implementing consensus-building proposals. These include clarifying that civil rights laws apply to algorithmic decisions, investing in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for AI testing and addressing bias, collaborating with the Biden administration to establish the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) for democratizing access to AI research tools, passing the Deepfake Task Force Act to combat deepfake risks, and creating a Commission on the Future of Work to address the impact of AI on employment. AI-related laws have gained bipartisan support in Congress, demonstrating that this is an American challenge rather than a partisan issue. By continuing to collaborate and build consensus on quality AI policy proposals, Congress can effectively tackle the complex challenges posed by this transformative technology. It is essential for Congress to develop sensible guidelines now, as AI evolution and applications will not wait for policymakers.