The House Committee on Administration, led by Chairman Bryan Steil, a Republican from Wisconsin, is conducting a hearing to examine the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology into the day-to-day operations of the U.S. Congress. The hearing, titled “Artificial Intelligence (AI): Innovations within the Legislative Branch,” aims to showcase the benefits and risks associated with AI and how it can make Congress more efficient and responsive.
Chairman Steil emphasizes that AI is a valuable tool in Congress’s toolkit, but acknowledges the need to manage the risks that come with adopting new technology. He believes that the hearing will not only demonstrate the transparency of AI implementation to the American public but also provide insights and information on how other legislative branch entities, such as the Library of Congress and the Government Accountability Office (GAO), can utilize AI.
The House Committee on Administration has been releasing monthly reports on AI integration strategy since September, with Rep. Stephanie Bice, a Republican from Oklahoma, and her subcommittee on modernization leading the effort. The most recent report, published in December, highlights various use cases of AI in the House of Representatives. These include AI-assisted chatbots, automations, and support for the Helpdesk, as well as AI-powered drafting of constituent correspondence, emails, memos, and briefing notes.
Additionally, AI is used by House staffers for internal research and to make grammatical corrections in first drafts of bills and speeches. Chairman Steil envisions further opportunities for AI, such as streamlining the GAO’s auditing process and enhancing constituent services for lawmakers. He believes AI can greatly improve the efficiency of auditing taxpayer spending and help members of Congress respond to their constituents’ requests more effectively.
The broader goal of the hearing is to explore how AI can make the government, specifically Congress, more efficient. Chairman Steil emphasizes the importance of leveraging technology to achieve this objective. He mentions that AI can benefit various areas, including federal agency navigation, Capitol Hill-focused tasks, and constituent services.
The hearing on AI by the House Administration Committee is scheduled for Tuesday at 10 a.m. It will delve into AI usage not only in Congress but also at the Library of Congress and the GAO. Elizabeth Elkind, a reporter for Digital specializing in Congress and the intersection of AI and politics, will cover the event. She previously contributed to the Daily Mail and CBS News.
In conclusion, the House Committee on Administration’s hearing on AI integration in Congress highlights the efforts of House Republicans to explore the potential benefits and risks of AI technology. The use cases presented in the hearing demonstrate how AI can enhance efficiency in various aspects of legislative operations. Chairman Steil’s vision of leveraging AI for auditing processes and constituent services reflects a broader goal of making Congress and the government more efficient through technology.
