Representative Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) has introduced legislation to keep artificial intelligence (AI) employed by the federal government apolitical.
For additional context, in mid-July, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14319, which recognizes the applicability of using AI for government work, but models cannot be trained according to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) guidelines or any ideological leaning, instead making use of unbiased, error-free calculations.
For instance, as the order outlined, a specific AI model would generate images of historical figures according to modern DEI standards at the cost of accuracy, such as race- or gender-swapped depictions of Vikings, the Founding Fathers, or other figures. Similarly, another model said users should not "misgender" people even if doing so would prevent catastrophe.
While this is not intended to regulate private companies' AI models, federal agencies will not be allowed to use such models for official business.
As a result, Rep. Patronis's House Resolution 4873 codifies the Trump EO into law.
"The President and his team have delivered a smart executive order that instructs federal agencies to only leverage AI tools that speak the truth," said Rep. Patronis in his press release, adding, "Surprising to no one, there are examples after examples of AI tools going off the rails because the foundational programming tilts politically Left. If the federal government is going to use and promote these tools, then AI designers either need to align their programs to remove Leftwing biases from their algorithm, or they need to get out of the business of federal contracting. This EO is going to both strengthen American AI technology and to protect taxpayer dollars."
The Florida Congressman's bill comes in tandem with President Trump's recent announcement that tech giant Apple is set to make a $100 billion investment in domestic manufacturing and AI.
Patronis's colleague, Representative Mike Haridopolos (R-FL), praised the news, saying, "For those keeping score at home, President Trump's tariffs have resulted in historic trade deals, raised BILLIONS in revenue, leveled the playing field for American workers, and triggered a wave of next-generation manufacturing investments in the USA."
