Exclusive: Congress’ AI safety window is closing

The window for Congress to act on AI before the midterms is essentially shut — but a few senators are trying. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., plans on Wednesday to seek unanimous consent for his bill to require an AI “kill switch” controlled by companies, not the government. Kennedy told Semafor he’s unsure whether anyone will object, but that his idea seems like the only doable one in the near term: An AI bill “would be impossible,” he said — “certainly, before the midterms; likely, during the lame duck.” Meanwhile, Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., are pushing for a floor vote for their AI safety measure. And OpenAI chief global affairs officer Chris Lehane is pitching a three-pronged regulatory approach: industry safety practices, new legislation, and international leadership on safeguards by the Trump administration. He agreed that nothing is likely to happen before Election Day.