US lawmakers introduce AI Cyber Defense Act

U.S. Representatives Pat Harrigan (R-NC) and George Whitesides (D-CA) have introduced the AI Cyber Defense Act to strengthen national defenses against artificial intelligence-driven attacks. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

A key component of the legislation directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to collaborate with private-sector stakeholders to define and combat ‘AI distillation attacks’—a process where knowledge or capabilities are transferred from one AI model to another. Within 180 days of the bill's enactment, NIST would be required to establish voluntary standards and best practices for detecting these attacks.

The act also mandates the creation of an AI Cybersecurity Roundtable to develop standards for using AI defensively to enhance cybersecurity. The legislation identifies North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba as countries of concern regarding AI-related security threats.