[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 98 (Wednesday, June 12, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3418-S3422]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 352. Mr. HEINRICH (for himself, Mr. Portman, and Mr. Schatz)
submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S.
1790, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
[[Page S3419]]
2020 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the end of division A, add the following:
TITLE XVII--ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
SEC. 1701. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Artificial Intelligence
Initiative Act'' or ``AI-IA''.
SEC. 1702. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) there is a need for a National Artificial Intelligence
Initiative, including a comprehensive strategy for and
coordination across agencies on research and development on
artificial intelligence;
(2) there are currently several interagency committees
working on related tasks with respect to artificial
intelligence; and
(3) the reporting structure of such committees could be
simplified to address efficiently the goals of an initiative
described in paragraph (1).
SEC. 1703. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Artificial intelligence.--The term ``artificial
intelligence'' includes the following:
(A) Any artificial system that performs tasks under varying
and unpredictable circumstances without significant human
oversight, or that can learn from experience and improve
performance when exposed to data sets.
(B) An artificial system developed in computer software,
physical hardware, or other context that solves tasks
requiring human-like perception, cognition, planning,
learning, communication, or physical action.
(C) An artificial system designed to think or act like a
human, including cognitive architectures and neural networks.
(D) A set of techniques, including machine learning, that
is designed to approximate a cognitive task.
(E) An artificial system designed to act rationally,
including an intelligent software agent or embodied robot
that achieves goals using perception, planning, reasoning,
learning, communicating, decision making, and acting.
(2) Advisory committee.--The term ``Advisory Committee''
means the advisory committee established or designated under
section 1714.
(3) Emerging research institution.--The term ``emerging
research institution'' means an institution of higher
education that--
(A) receives less than $20,000,000 in Federal research
funding annually; and
(B) may grant a doctoral degree.
(4) Industry.--The term ``industry'' means entities in
industries relevant to artificial intelligence.
(5) Initiative.--The term ``Initiative'' means the National
Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Initiative
established under section 1711.
(6) Institutions of higher education.--The term
``institutions of higher education'' has the meaning given
the term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1001).
(7) Interagency committee.--The term ``Interagency
Committee'' means the interagency committee established or
designated under section 1713.
(8) K-12 education.--The term ``K-12 education'' means
elementary school and secondary education, as such terms are
defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(9) Machine learning.--The term ``machine learning'' means
a subfield of artificial intelligence that is characterized
by giving computers the autonomous ability to progressively
optimize performance of a specific task based on data without
being explicitly programmed.
(10) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority-
serving institution'' means any of the following:
(A) A Hispanic-serving institution (as defined in section
502(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1101a(a))).
(B) A Tribal College or University (as defined in section
316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1059c(b))).
(C) An Alaska Native-serving institution (as defined in
section 317(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1059d(b))).
(D) A Native Hawaiian-serving institution (as defined in
section 317(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1059d(b))).
(E) A Predominantly Black Institution (as defined in
section 318(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1059e(b))).
(F) A Native American-serving nontribal institution (as
defined in section 319(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1059f(b))).
(G) An Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-
serving institution (as defined in section 320(b) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059g(b))).
Subtitle A--National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development
Initiative
SEC. 1711. NATIONAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE.
The President shall establish and implement an initiative
with respect to artificial intelligence to be known as the
``National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development
Initiative''. In carrying out the Initiative, the President
shall, acting through appropriate Federal entities, including
the Networking and Information Technology Research and
Development Program--
(1) establish objectives, priorities, and metrics for
strategic plans under section 1713(d) to accelerate
development of science and technology applications for
artificial intelligence in the United States;
(2) invest in research, development, demonstration,
application to analysis and modeling, and other activities
with respect to science and technology in artificial
intelligence;
(3) support the development of a workforce pipeline for
science and technology with respect to artificial
intelligence by making strategic investments to--
(A) expand the number of researchers, educators, and
students with training in science and technology in
artificial intelligence;
(B) increase the number of skilled and trained workers from
underrepresented communities who can contribute to the
development of artificial intelligence and artificial
intelligence technology, diversify the artificial
intelligence workforce, and expand the artificial
intelligence workforce pipeline;
(C) promote the development and inclusion of
multidisciplinary curricula and research opportunities for
science and engineering with respect to artificial
intelligence, including advanced technological education,
during the primary, secondary, undergraduate, graduate,
postdoctoral, adult learning, and career retraining stages of
education; and
(D) equip workers with the knowledge and skill sets
required to operate effectively in occupations and workplaces
that will be increasingly influenced by artificial
intelligence;
(4) facilitate coordination of efforts and collaboration
with respect to research and development of artificial
intelligence among government agencies, Federal and national
laboratories, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher
education, and industry;
(5) leverage existing Federal research investments, and
partner with industry and institutions of higher education to
leverage knowledge and resources, to advance objectives and
priorities of the Initiative;
(6) strengthen research, development, demonstration, and
applications in science and technology with respect to
artificial intelligence by--
(A) addressing gaps in basic research knowledge with
respect to artificial intelligence through research;
(B) promoting the further development of facilities and
centers available for research, testing, and education in
science and technology with respect to artificial
intelligence;
(C) stimulating research on, and promoting more rapid
development and commercialization of, artificial
intelligence-based technologies;
(D) promoting research into the effects of artificial
intelligence and applications of artificial intelligence on
society, the workforce and workplace, and individuals,
including those from underrepresented communities;
(E) promoting data and model sharing among the Federal
government, academic researchers, the private sector, and
other practitioners of artificial intelligence;
(F) identifying and minimizing inappropriate bias in data
sets, algorithms, and other aspects of artificial
intelligence; and
(G) supporting efforts to create metrics to assess safety,
security, and reliability of applications of science and
technology with respect to artificial intelligence; and
(7) ensure that research, development, demonstration, and
applications efforts with respect to artificial intelligence
create measurable benefits for all individuals in the United
States, including members of disadvantaged and
underrepresented groups.
SEC. 1712. NATIONAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COORDINATION
OFFICE.
(a) In General.--The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy, in consultation with the Director of the
National Science Foundation, the Secretary of Energy, and the
Secretary of Commerce, shall establish or designate, and
appoint a director of, an office to be known as the
``National Artificial Intelligence Coordination Office'' (in
this section referred to as the ``Office'').
(b) Duties.--The Office shall--
(1) provide technical and administrative support to the
Advisory Committee;
(2) serve as the point of contact on Federal artificial
intelligence activities for government organizations,
academia, industry, professional societies, State artificial
intelligence programs, interested citizen groups, and others
to exchange technical and programmatic information;
(3) conduct public outreach, including dissemination of
findings and recommendations of the Advisory Committee (as
appropriate); and
(4) promote access to and development of early applications
of the technologies, innovations, and expertise that benefit
the public derived from Initiative activities to agency
missions and systems across the Federal Government, and to
United States industry, including startup companies.
(c) Funding.--The Office shall be funded through
interagency funding.
(d) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science
and Technology Policy shall submit to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Science,
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Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a
report on funding for the National Artificial Intelligence
Coordination Office. The report shall include--
(1) the amount of funding required to adequately fund the
Office;
(2) the adequacy of existing mechanisms to fund the Office;
and
(3) the actions taken by the director of the Office to
ensure stable funding for the Office.
SEC. 1713. INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.
(a) In General.--The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy shall establish or designate an interagency
committee to be known as the ``Interagency Committee on
Artificial Intelligence''.
(b) Composition; Chairs.--
(1) Composition.--The Interagency Committee shall be
comprised of representatives from the following, as detailed
to the Interagency Committee by the head of the agency
concerned:
(A) The National Institute of Standards and Technology.
(B) The National Science Foundation.
(C) The Department of Energy.
(D) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
(E) The Department of Defense.
(F) The Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
(G) The Office of Management and Budget.
(H) The Office of Science and Technology Policy.
(I) The National Institutes of Health.
(J) Any other Federal agency the Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy considers appropriate.
(2) Co-chairs.--The Interagency Committee shall be co-
chaired by the following:
(A) The Secretary of Energy.
(B) The Director of the Office of Science and Technology
Policy.
(C) The Director of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology.
(D) The Director of the National Science Foundation.
(c) Duties.--The Interagency Committee shall--
(1) coordinate, and make recommendations for, activities
and programs of Federal agencies on research and education
with respect to artificial intelligence and artificial
intelligence technology;
(2) establish objectives and priorities for the Initiative,
consistent with the objectives and purposes specified in
section 1711, based on identified knowledge and workforce
gaps and other national needs;
(3) assess and recommend Federal infrastructure needs to
support the Initiative; and
(4) evaluate opportunities for international cooperation
with strategic allies on research and development with
respect to artificial intelligence and artificial
intelligence technology.
(d) Strategic Plan.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Interagency Committee shall
develop a 5-year strategic plan, and 6 years after enactment
of this Act develop an additional 5-year strategic plan, with
periodic updates (as appropriate), to guide the activities of
the Initiative, meet Initiative goals and priorities, and
anticipate outcomes at participating agencies. In carrying
out this subsection, the Interagency Committee should take
into consideration reports from the Advisory Committee.
SEC. 1714. NATIONAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ADVISORY
COMMITTEE.
(a) In General.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation (in this section referred to as the ``Director'')
shall establish or designate an advisory committee to be
known as the ``National Artificial Intelligence Advisory
Committee''.
(b) Qualification of Members.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation, in consultation with the Director of the Office
of Science and Technology Policy, shall appoint as members of
the Advisory Committee individual who are qualified to
provide advice and information on research, development,
demonstrations, education, infrastructure, technology
transfer, commercial applications, and concerns of a national
security, social, or economic nature with respect to
artificial intelligence and artificial intelligence
technology. The Director shall seek public input, and
individuals so appointed shall collectively have expertise on
a wide range of defense and non-defense artificial
intelligence matters.
(2) Limitation.--Not more than half of the members of the
Advisory Committee may be representatives of the artificial
intelligence industry.
(c) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall advise the
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and
the Interagency Committee on Artificial Intelligence under
section 1713 on matters relating to the Initiative, including
assessing--
(1) trends and developments in artificial intelligence,
including the current and near future state of artificial
intelligence systems and forecasting;
(2) progress made in implementing the Initiative;
(3) the need to revise the Initiative;
(4) balance among the components of the Initiative,
including funding levels for component areas of the
Initiative;
(5) whether the component areas, priorities, and technical
goals of the Initiative are helping to maintain United States
leadership in artificial intelligence and artificial
intelligence technology;
(6) the management, coordination, implementation, and
activities of the Initiative; and
(7) whether societal, ethical, legal, environmental, and
workforce concerns with respect to artificial intelligence
and artificial intelligence technology are adequately
addressed by the Initiative.
(d) Reports.--Not later than 4 years after the date of the
most recent assessment under subsection (c), and
quadrennially thereafter, the Advisory Committee shall submit
to the Director of the National Science Foundation, the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate, and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
of the House of Representatives a report on its assessments
under subsection (c) and its recommendations for ways to
improve the Initiative.
(e) Travel Expenses of Non-Federal Members.--Non-Federal
members of the Advisory Committee, while attending meetings
of the Advisory Committee or while otherwise serving at the
request of the head of the Advisory Committee away from their
homes or regular places of business, may be allowed travel
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as
authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code,
for individuals in the government serving without pay.
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit
members of the Advisory Committee who are officers or
employees of the United States from being allowed travel
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in
accordance with existing law.
(f) Exemption From Sunset.--Section 14 of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the
Advisory Committee.
SEC. 1715. STUDY ON THE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WORKFORCE.
(a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the National Artificial
Intelligence Coordination Office shall seek to enter into a
contract with a federally funded research and development
center for a study on the mechanisms that produce or
contribute to the workforce in artificial intelligence
(including researchers and specialists in artificial
intelligence and users of artificial intelligence) in order
to identify and develop actions to ensure an appropriate
increase in the size, quality, and diversity of the
workforce.
(b) Collaboration in Study.--The contract referred to in
subsection (a) shall require the federally funded research
and development center entering into the contract to do the
following:
(1) Collaborate with the Secretary of Commerce, the
Commissioner of Labor Statistics, and the Director of the
Census in developing a comprehensive and detailed
understanding of the workforce needs of and employment
opportunities in the artificial intelligence field, by State
and by region.
(2) Collaborate in carrying out the study with educational
institutions, State and local workforce development boards,
nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, apprenticeship
programs, industry, and other entities in the artificial
intelligence field.
(3) Collaborate with minority-serving institutions in order
to facilitate the sharing of best practices and approaches
for increasing and retaining underrepresented populations in
the artificial intelligence field.
(4) Facilitate the sharing of best practices and approaches
for the development and sustainment of the workforce in
artificial intelligence that are identified or developed
through the study among--
(A) entities in the artificial intelligence field, State
and local workforce development boards, nonprofit
organizations, labor organizations, and apprenticeship
programs that provide training programs for employment in the
artificial intelligence field; and
(B) educational institutions that seek to establish such
training programs.
(c) Department of Labor Annual Report on Job Creation.--Ech
year while the contract referred to in subsection (a) is in
force, the Secretary of Labor shall, using information
derived from the study described in that subsection and other
appropriate information, issue to the public a report on job
creation in the artificial intelligence field during the
preceding year.
Subtitle B--National Institute of Standards and Technology Artificial
Intelligence Activities
SEC. 1721. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY
ACTIVITIES ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.
(a) In General.--As part of the Initiative, the Director of
the National Institute of Standards and Technology (in this
section referred to as the ``Director'') shall--
(1) support the development of measurements and standards
necessary to advance commercial development of artificial
intelligence applications, including by--
(A) developing measurements and standards;
(B) supporting efforts to develop measurements and
consensus standards by standards development organizations;
and
(C) modernizing the infrastructure used for benchmarking
artificial intelligence technologies;
(2) establishing and supporting collaborative ventures or
consortia with public or
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private sector entities, including institutions of higher
education, National Laboratories, and industry for the
purpose of advancing fundamental and applied research and
development on artificial intelligence; and
(3) use existing authorities to award contracts as
necessary to carry out the Initiative, including cooperative
agreements and other similar transactions.
(b) Artificial Intelligence Outreach.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall conduct outreach--
(A) to receive input from stakeholders on the development
of a plan to address future measurements and standards
related to artificial intelligence; and
(B) to provide an opportunity for public comment on any
such measurements or standards.
(2) Meetings.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and a periodic basis thereafter,
as the Director determines appropriate, the Director shall
convene 1 or more meetings of stakeholders, including
technical expert representatives from government
organizations, industry, and institutions of higher
education, to discuss topics described in subparagraph (B).
(B) Topics.--Meetings under subparagraph (A) may cover
topics that the Director determines to be important to the
development of standards and measurements with respect to
artificial intelligence, including--
(i) cybersecurity;
(ii) algorithm accountability;
(iii) algorithm explainability;
(iv) algorithm trustworthiness;
(v) establishment of a common lexicon for artificial
intelligence; and
(vi) resources and methods for benchmarking artificial
intelligence technologies.
(C) Purposes.--The purposes of meetings under this
paragraph shall be--
(i) to assess contemporary research on the topics
determined by the Director under subparagraph (B);
(ii) to evaluate research gaps relating to such topics;
(iii) to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to provide
recommendations on the research to be addressed by the
National Institute of Standards and Technology and the
Initiative; and
(iv) to coordinate engagement with international standards
bodies in order to ensure United States leadership in the
development of global technical standards, including witb
respect to artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
(3) Report to congress.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall
transmit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a
report summarizing the results of outreach and meetings
conducted under this subsection.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2020 through
2024, $40,000,000 to carry out this section.
Subtitle C--National Science Foundation and Multidisciplinary Centers
for Artificial Intelligence Research and Education
SEC. 1731. RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROGRAM ON ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ENGINEERING.
(a) In General.--As part of the Initiative, the Director of
the National Science Foundation (in this section referred to
as the ``Director'') shall establish and implement a research
and education program on artificial intelligence and
artificial intelligence engineering.
(b) Program Components.--In carrying out the program
required under subsection (a), the Director shall--
(1) continue to support interdisciplinary research on, and
human resources development in, all aspects of science and
engineering with respect to artificial intelligence,
including--
(A) algorithm accountability;
(B) minimization of inappropriate bias in training data
sets or algorithmic feature selection;
(C) qualitative and quantitative forecasting of future
capabilities and applications; and
(D) societal and ethical implications of artificial
intelligence;
(2) use existing authorities and programs and collaborate
with other Federal agencies--
(A) to improve teaching and learning in science and
engineering with respect to artificial intelligence during
the primary, secondary, undergraduate, graduate,
postgraduate, adult learning, and career retraining stages of
education;
(B) to increase participation in artificial intelligence
fields, including by individuals identified in sections 33
and 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act
(42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b);
(C) to formulate goals for education activities in
engineering and research with respect to artificial
intelligence to be supported by the National Science
Foundation related to topics important to the Initiative,
including--
(i) algorithm accountability;
(ii) algorithm explainability;
(iii) consumer data privacy;
(iv) assessment and minimization of inappropriate bias in
training data and output;
(v) societal and ethical implications of the use of
artificial intelligence;
(vi) algorithm trustworthiness; and
(vii) algorithmic forecasting;
(D) to engage with institutions of higher education,
research communities, potential users of information produced
under this section, entities in the private sector, and non-
Federal entities--
(i) to leverage the collective body of knowledge from
existing research and education activities with respect to
artificial intelligence and artificial intelligence
engineering; and
(ii) to support partnerships among institutions of higher
education and industry that facilitate collaborative
research, personnel exchanges, and workforce development with
respect to artificial intelligence and artificial
intelligence engineering;
(E) to coordinate research efforts with respect to
artificial intelligence and artificial intelligence
engineering funded through existing programs across the
directorates of the National Science Foundation;
(F) to ensure adequate access to research and education
infrastructure with respect to artificial intelligence and
artificial intelligence engineering, including through
development of hardware and facilitation of the use of
computing resources, including cloud-based computing
services; and
(G) to increase participation rates in research and
education on artificial intelligence among underrepresented
communities by engaging with minority-serving institutions.
(c) Graduate Traineeships.--In carrying out the program
required under subsection (a), the Director may provide
traineeships to graduate students at institutions of higher
education who--
(1) are United States nationals or aliens lawfully admitted
for permanent residence in the United States; and
(2) who choose to pursue masters or doctoral degrees in
artificial intelligence or artificial intelligence
engineering.
SEC. 1732. MULTIDISCIPLINARY CENTERS FOR ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION.
(a) In General.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation (in this section referred to as the ``Director''),
in consultation with other appropriate Federal agencies,
shall award grants to eligible entities to establish up to 5
research and education centers (in this section referred to
as ``Centers'') to conduct research and education activities
in support of the Initiative. Each Center established
pursuant to such a grant shall be known as a
``Multidisciplinary Center for Artificial Intelligence
Research and Education''.
(b) Eligible Entities.--For purposes of this section, an
eligible entity is any entity as follows:
(1) An institution of higher education.
(2) A relevant nonprofit organization.
(3) A State or local government.
(4) A consortium of entities that consists of--
(A) two or more entities specified in paragraphs (1)
through (3); or
(B) at least one entity specified in such paragraphs and a
relevant private sector organization that is not a nonprofit
organization.
(c) Minimum Number of Grants for Certain Purposes.--
(1) K-12 education.--Not less than 1 grant under this
section must be for a Center with the primary purpose of
integrating artificial intelligence into K-12 education.
(2) Minority-serving institution.--Not less than 1 grant
under this section must be for a Center located at a
minority-serving institution.
(d) Application.--An eligible entity seeking funding under
this section shall submit an application to the Director at
such time, in such manner, and containing such information as
the Director may require. The application shall include--
(1) a plan for the proposed Center--
(A) to work with other research institutions, emerging
research institutions, and industry to leverage expertise in
artificial intelligence, education and curricula development,
and technology transfer;
(B) to promote active collaboration among researchers in
multiple disciplines and across multiple institutions
involved in artificial intelligence research including
physics, engineering, mathematical sciences, computer and
information science, biological and cognitive sciences,
material science, education, and social and behavioral
sciences (such as industrial-organizational psychology);
(C) to integrate into the activities of such Center
consideration of the ethics of development, technology usage,
and data collection, storage, and sharing (including training
data sets) in connection with artificial intelligence;
(D) to support long-term and short-term workforce
development in artificial intelligence, including broadening
participation of underrepresented communities; and
(E) to support an innovation ecosystem to work with
industry to translate Center research into applications and
products; and
(2) a description of the anticipated long-term impact of
such Center beyond the termination of support under this
section.
(e) Selection and Duration.--
(1) In general.--A Center established using a grant under
this section may receive funding under this section for a
period of 5 years.
[[Page S3422]]
(2) Extension.--Such a Center may apply for, and the
Director may grant, an extension of a grant under this
section for an additional 5-year period.
(3) Termination.--The Director may terminate for cause
funding under this section for a Center that underperforms.
(f) Funding.--During each of fiscal years 2020 through
2024, the amount provided each fiscal year for a Center
established pursuant to this section through a grant under
this section shall be $20,000,000.
Subtitle D--Department of Energy Artificial Intelligence Research and
Development Program
SEC. 1741. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ON ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE.
(a) Program Required.--As a part of the Initiative, the
Secretary of Energy (in this section referred to as the
``Secretary'') shall carry out a research and development
program on artificial intelligence.
(b) Components.--In carrying out the program required under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
(1) formulate objectives for research on artificial
intelligence to be supported by the Department of Energy that
are consistent with the Initiative;
(2) leverage the collective body of knowledge from existing
research on artificial intelligence;
(3) coordinate research efforts on artificial intelligence
that are funded through existing programs across the
Department;
(4) engage with other Federal agencies, research
communities, and potential users of information produced
under this section;
(5) build, maintain, and, to the extent practicable, make
available for use by academic, government, and private sector
researchers the computing hardware and software necessary to
carry out the program; and
(6) establish and maintain on an Internet website of the
Department available to the public a resource center that--
(A) provides current information and resources on training
programs for employment in artificial intelligence; and
(B) otherwise serves as a resource for educational
institutions, State and local workforce development boards,
nonprofit organizations, and apprenticeship programs seeking
to develop and implement training programs for employment in
artificial intelligence.
(c) Research Centers.--
(1) Grants.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary
may award grants to eligible entities to establish and
operate up to 5 artificial intelligence research centers (in
this subsection referred to as ``Centers'') for the purposes
described in paragraph (3).
(2) Selection.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (C),
grants under this subsection shall be awarded through a
competitive, merit-reviewed process.
(B) Eligible entities.--For purposes of this subsection, an
eligible entity is any entity as follows:
(i) An institution of higher education.
(ii) A relevant nonprofit organization.
(iii) A State or local government.
(iv) A National Laboratory or a federally funded research
and development center.
(v) A consortium of entities that consists of--
(I) two or more entities specified in clauses (i) through
(iv); or
(II) at least one entity specified in such clauses and a
relevant private sector organization that is not a nonprofit
organization.
(C) National security laboratory.--At least 1 of the grants
under this subsection shall be awarded to a national security
laboratory of the National Nuclear Security Administration.
(3) Purposes.--The purposes of the Centers established
under this subsection are--
(A) to serve the needs of the Department and such academic,
educational, and private sector entities as the Secretary
considers appropriate;
(B) to advance research and education in artificial
intelligence and facilitate improvement in the
competitiveness of the United States; and
(C) to provide access to computing resources to promote
scientific progress and enable users from institutions of
higher education, educational institutions, the National
Laboratories, and industry--
(i) to make scientific discoveries relevant to research in
artificial intelligence;
(ii) to conduct research to accelerate scientific
breakthroughs in science and technology with respect to
artificial intelligence;
(iii) to support research conducted under this section; and
(iv) to increase the distribution of research
infrastructure and broaden the spectrum of students exposed
to research in artificial intelligence at institutions of
higher education (including emerging research institutions).
(4) Coordination.--The Secretary shall ensure the
coordination of, and avoid unnecessary duplication of, the
activities of each Center with the activities of--
(A) other research entities of the Department, including
the Nanoscale Science Research Centers, the Energy Frontier
Research Centers, and the Energy Innovation Hubs; and
(B) industry.
(5) Duration.--
(A) In general.--Any center selected and established under
this section is authorized to carry out activities for a
period of 5 years.
(B) Extension.--Such a Center may apply for, and the
Director may grant, an extension of a grant under this
section for an additional 5-year period.
(C) Termination.--Consistent with existing authorities of
the Department, the Secretary may terminate for cause a
Center that underperforms during the performance period.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024
for the Department of Energy, $300,000,000 to be available
for the Department to carry out this section.
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