[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 20, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H934-H936]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WISDOM FOR INNOVATIVE SMALL ENTERPRISES ACT
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 5784) to amend the Small Business Act to help small
business concerns critically evaluate artificial intelligence tools,
and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5784
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Artificial Intelligence
Wisdom for Innovative Small Enterprises Act'' or the ``AI-
WISE Act''.
SEC. 2. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND
MODULES FOR SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS.
(a) In General.--The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et
seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating section 49 as section 50; and
(2) by inserting after section 48 the following new
section:
``SEC. 49. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND
MODULES FOR SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS.
``(a) In General.--The Administrator shall--
``(1) establish and maintain educational resources and
modules for small business concerns with information on
artificial intelligence tools; and
``(2) make such educational resources and modules publicly
available on an existing online learning platform of the
Administration.
``(b) Contents.--The educational resources and modules
established under subsection (a) shall include, to the extent
practicable, information on--
``(1) how artificial intelligence models work, including
the limits of the capabilities of such models, and how such
limits affect the outputs of such tools;
``(2) how to determine if software outputs are generated
with the use of artificial intelligence;
``(3) how to remain updated on the emergence, development,
and technological maturation of artificial intelligence;
``(4) how to understand and remain updated on the policies,
terms, and conditions applicable to users of artificial
intelligence;
``(5) best practices in coordinating with third-party
providers of artificial intelligence tools;
``(6) how to effectively identify, evaluate, and manage the
risks of artificial intelligence;
``(7) how to ensure the privacy of user inputs to
artificial intelligence tools;
``(8) how to retain human involvement in important
decisions informed by recommendations made by artificial
intelligence;
``(9) how to identify tasks and functions that artificial
intelligence can reliably and effectively perform, including
whether artificial intelligence can improve operations,
productivity, or customer service; and
``(10) how to determine whether an artificial intelligence
tool adequately fills a need and is worth adopting.
``(c) Accuracy and Maintenance.--
``(1) In general.--To the extent practicable, the
Administrator shall ensure that the information contained in
the educational resources and modules established under
subsection (a) is factually accurate and current, including
by consulting with--
``(A) the Director of the National Institute of Standards
and Technology; and
``(B) the Advisory Working Group established under
paragraph (2).
``(2) Advisory working group.--
``(A) Establishment.--The Administrator shall establish a
working group (in this paragraph referred to as the `Advisory
Working Group') with which the Administrator shall consult on
an ongoing basis regarding the information contained in the
educational resources and modules established under
subsection (a).
``(B) Duties.--The duties of the Advisory Working Group
shall include the identification and recommendation of
relevant information to the Administrator for inclusion in
the educational resources and modules established under
subsection (a).
``(C) Members.--The Advisory Working Group shall be
comprised of the following
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members, who shall be selected by the Administrator:
``(i) Individuals with demonstrated expertise in artificial
intelligence, including--
``(I) not less than one individual from the private sector;
``(II) not less than one individual from academia;
``(III) not less than one individual from an organization
with demonstrated expertise in ensuring artificial
intelligence outputs--
``(aa) are reliable, secure, transparent, and not used for
illegal purposes; and
``(bb) which protect user privacy; and
``(IV) not less than one individual with demonstrated
expertise in the creation of educational or professional
development materials regarding artificial intelligence.
``(ii) Individuals with demonstrated expertise in outreach
to small business concerns, including--
``(I) not less than one individual from each resource
partner;
``(II) not less than one individual from a district office
of the Administration; and
``(III) not less than one individual from an association
representing small business concerns.
``(D) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Advisory Working Group
shall be filled in the same manner as the original
appointment.
``(E) Inapplicability of faca.--The requirements of chapter
10 of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to the
Advisory Working Group established under this paragraph.
``(3) Incorporation of information in educational resources
and modules.--In establishing and maintaining the educational
resources and modules under subsection (a), the
Administrator--
``(A) shall consider relevant, existing information
developed by resource partners;
``(B) may consider relevant, existing information developed
by private entities; and
``(C) may incorporate information described in
subparagraphs (A) and (B) into such educational resources and
modules.
``(d) Resource Partner Involvement.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall coordinate with
resource partners to disseminate information to raise the
awareness of small business concerns about availability of
the educational resources and modules established under
subsection (a).
``(2) Specialized and localized educational resource
development.--Resource partners may develop specialized and
localized training resources to more effectively disseminate
the information in the educational resources and modules
established under subsection (a), including by incorporating
information on uses of artificial intelligence tools common
to the community served by such resource partner.
``(e) Manner.--The Administrator shall ensure that the
information in the educational resources and modules
established under subsection (a)--
``(1) is actionable and presented in a manner that is
easily comprehensible by small business concerns;
``(2) does not give preference to a particular artificial
intelligence model or tool over similar such models or tools;
and
``(3) does not give preference to an artificial
intelligence model or tool developed by a specific entity or
group of entities over an artificial intelligence model or
tool developed by another entity or group of entities.
``(f) Artificial Intelligence Defined.--In this section,
the term `artificial intelligence' has the meaning given such
term in section 5002 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (15
U.S.C. 9401).''.
(b) Deadline.--The Administrator of the Small Business
Administration shall establish the educational resources and
modules required by section 49 of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 631 et seq.), as added by this Act, not later than 180
days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 3. COMPLIANCE WITH CUTGO.
No additional amounts are authorized to carry out this Act
or the amendments made by this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Williams) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
General Leave
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend
their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
{time} 1610
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5784, the Artificial
Intelligence Wisdom for Innovative Small Enterprises Act, the AI-WISE
Act. This bipartisan bill is led by Representatives Scholten and
Downing.
Artificial intelligence is changing how businesses operate in real
time. While large corporations can afford expensive consultants and
trial-and-error experimentation, many small businesses do not have the
luxury to do that. For a small business owner like myself, every dollar
matters. The AI-WISE Act helps bridge that gap.
This bill directs the SBA to provide clear, accessible, and practical
guidance that helps small business owners understand artificial
intelligence in straightforward terms. It focuses on helping
entrepreneurs evaluate whether an artificial intelligence tool is
useful for their specific business, where it may fall short, and
whether it is truly worth the cost before they spend their money to get
that.
Importantly, this bill does all of this without authorizing any new
spending. It builds on existing programs, avoids picking winners and
losers, and keeps the Federal Government focused on providing
information, not mandates.
I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense, bipartisan
legislation and to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 5784.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I am proud to support H.R. 5784, the AI-WISE Act.
Four years ago, AI burst into mainstream focus with the launch of
OpenAI's ChatGPT. When I first tried this tool, I was shocked. I knew
then and there that AI had the potential to revolutionize the way
American firms operate and do business.
AI, like all emerging technology, comes with risks. AI outputs are
prone to bias, discrimination, misinformation, and omissions. Safety
and cybersecurity vulnerabilities can render AI deployers open to
adversarial attacks. We don't even fully know this risk because we
cannot predict AI's trajectory, so new risk could come up as it evolves
and adds capabilities.
We have all seen reports of GenAI gone wrong, with episodes ranging
from customer service chatbots at car dealerships offering to sell
pickup trucks for $1 to general purpose chatbots advising small
businesses to break the law.
In other words, a small business using a flawed AI model risks steep
reputational and legal harm. Many of these incidents are attributable
simply to AI's current technological immaturity and the growing pains
that come with its ongoing evolution. This is why AI literacy is
crucial for small businesses to keep up with their larger competitors
considering and adopting AI.
The AI-WISE Act will direct SBA to create online AI literacy
resources for entrepreneurs, so they have the tools to make sound
choices on AI adoption and use. It will also direct the SBA to keep
their resources updated on innovations in AI technology through an
expert working group. Finally, the bill will allow the SBA resource
partners to develop specialized and localized assistance to best
educate their communities.
I thank my colleagues, Ms. Scholten and Mr. Downing, for
collaborating over the last 2 years to bring this bill to the floor.
Furthermore, let me convey my gratitude to Chairman Williams; his staff
director, Lauren Holmes; and all the floor staff for seeing this bill
through today. It is greatly appreciated.
Madam Speaker, I urge Members to support this bill, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Downing).
Mr. DOWNING. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5784,
the AI-WISE Act. This legislation will provide essential resources for
small businesses to support their efforts to adopt AI.
Small businesses are optimistic about the potential of AI.
Capabilities like machine learning and language processing are becoming
critical tools for businesses seeking streamlined operations, like
workforce recruitment, marketing, and strategy development.
However, businesses with substantial and stable access to capital
tend to be better positioned for technology adoption and dealing with
its ramifications. Small businesses, on the other hand,
[[Page H936]]
including businesses in rural communities like my home district in
central and eastern Montana, often lack the resources and information
needed to facilitate technology adoption.
For example, according to a 2025 report from the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce, 59 percent of small businesses in Montana have adopted AI
into their operations. While this figure may seem significant, it pales
in comparison to the near-universal adoption of AI that is seen with
Fortune 500 companies. That is why I am proud to co-lead H.R. 5784, the
AI-WISE Act, with my colleague, Representative Scholten.
The AI-WISE Act directs the Small Business Administration, the SBA,
to establish educational resources on AI for small businesses through
its online learning platform. In doing so, this legislation seeks to
provide small businesses with the technical and practical knowledge
needed to best navigate AI adoption.
The scope of this educational material will include resources for
small businesses on how AI models work, how businesses can identify
tasks that AI can effectively perform, and the best practices for
coordinating with third-party providers and protecting data privacy.
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Scholten, for co-
leading this legislation with me. The AI-WISE Act will ensure small
businesses have the information that they need to most effectively
utilize AI to bolster their entrepreneurship.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this
legislation.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I commend Ms. Scholten and Mr. Downing
for their dedication to our Nation's innovative small enterprises, and
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5784.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, we cannot leave Main Street
behind in the adoption of AI. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on
this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Williams) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 5784.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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