Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.), members of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, recently introduced the Artificial Intelligence Ready Data Act, which would create a modern federal approach to opening government data assets to train and develop stronger American artificial intelligence (AI) models. The U.S. federal government maintains the world’s largest and most sophisticated data assets generated through taxpayer dollars, and this legislation aims to leverage the potential of that federal data to maintain American leadership in AI development.
“The success of American AI models to help grow our economy and create new jobs depends on access to high-quality data. The federal government maintains the world’s largest collection of publicly available data across every discipline, but we must do more to make government data assets more accessible and digestible. By unlocking these resources, developers of all sizes and interests can deploy smarter solutions that will benefit everything from advanced manufacturing to healthcare research to weather modeling. I am proud to work with Senator Kim to help maintain America’s competitive edge and global leadership in AI innovation,” said Senator Budd.
“Federal data has long helped power scientific discovery and innovation. As new technologies like AI become key tools for researchers in New Jersey and across our country, we need to ensure that access to this data is structured, reliable, and ready to be used safely. This legislation sets the clear standards needed so federal data can further support generations of scientific breakthroughs while maintaining transparency and public trust,” said Senator Kim.
The Artificial Intelligence Ready Data Act is endorsed by Google, Siemens, Snorkel AI, and NC Chamber.
“We’re incredibly supportive of efforts to modernize government data infrastructure, and the Artificial Intelligence-Ready Data Act does just that. It will make federal data more accessible and empower researchers and developers to leverage high-quality, secure public data – like NOAA’s atmospheric observations. This will help Americans solve complex challenges, from preparing for natural disasters to lowering the manufacturing costs of medicine,” said Anne Wall, U.S. Federal Government Affairs and Public Policy, Google.
“We commend Senator Budd and Senator Kim for their bipartisan leadership on the Artificial Intelligence-Ready Data Act. The next frontier of AI is physical – AI that understands and optimizes real-world systems, from manufacturing lines and buildings, to transportation networks and power grids, to engineering and scientific discovery. The federal government holds uniquely valuable data assets for developing these capabilities, including decades of engineering and operational data that cannot be replicated elsewhere. This legislation takes a critical step toward making those assets available in an AI-ready way, and we look forward to working with the sponsors to ensure it delivers real impact for industry and the workforce,” said Olympia Brikis, U.S. Head of AI Research, Siemens.
“Artificial intelligence systems are only as reliable as the data used to develop and evaluate them. Senator Budd and Senator Kim’s Artificial Intelligence-Ready Data Act recognizes an important reality: making high-quality government data accessible, well-documented, and interoperable is foundational to advancing trustworthy AI.
“Establishing clear standards for making federal data assets AI-ready will help researchers, companies, and government agencies responsibly develop and evaluate AI systems that serve the public interest. We appreciate Senator Budd and Senator Kim’s leadership in strengthening the nation’s data infrastructure for the AI era,” said Alex Ratner, Co-Founder and CEO, Snorkel AI.
“From manufacturing and logistics to healthcare and agriculture, artificial intelligence is strengthening key industries that power North Carolina’s economy,” said Jake Cashion, vice president of government affairs at the NC Chamber. “The Artificial Intelligence Ready Data Act would help ensure the United States remains at the forefront of this rapidly evolving technology by supporting the responsible use of valuable federal data assets. We appreciate Senator Budd’s leadership on policies that advance innovation, competitiveness, and long-term economic growth for North Carolina and the nation,” said Jake Cashion, Vice President of Government Affairs, North Carolina Chamber of Commerce.
Read the full bill text HERE.
BACKGROUND
Earlier this month, Senator Budd chaired a hearing for the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Science, Manufacturing, and Competitiveness, in which he asked witnesses across the healthcare, manufacturing, and robotics industries whether enhanced access to high-quality government data assets would help them deploy AI solutions.
The Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 established that, since federal data is a valuable national resource of strategic benefit, government data assets should be open by default. Under this law, open government data sets are public assets available (or capable of being made available) in open formats and not subject to restrictions that would impede their use or reuse.
Artificial Intelligence Ready Data Act:
Directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to put out a request for comment whereby individuals and industry can suggest ways to improve the availability, quality, and formatting of open government data assets to make them usable in AI models.
Once commentary has been collected, the NIST will develop standards and guidelines that the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) will direct federal agencies to implement to prepare their data assets for AI compatibility.
Additionally, this bill includes provisions for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to ensure its data assets support the integration of AI and machine learning into its forecasting and weather modeling activities.
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