S. 5130: Human Dignity and Emerging Technologies Act

This bill would create a new temporary federal advisory body called the United States Commission on Human Dignity. The commission would be located within the legislative branch and would have 17 members appointed by the President and congressional leaders. Members would be chosen for expertise in areas such as ethics, philosophy, civil rights, religion, social sciences, science, technology, medicine, or law.

What the commission would do

The commission’s job would be to advise the federal government, including Congress, on the ethical and policy issues raised by emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence. It would also be directed to consider how foreign governments or other foreign actors may use these technologies in ways that threaten human dignity.

More specifically, the commission would:

• Create and update statements, principles, and other materials to help guide federal science and technology policy.
• Study the ethical and bioethical issues connected to robotics, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, neurotechnology, and new medical technologies.
• Monitor federal science and technology programs, funded research, regulatory proposals, and new technological developments for possible threats to human dignity.
• Hold public hearings and gather testimony from experts and members of the public.
• Issue a report every year to the President and relevant congressional committees with findings, policy options, and recommendations.
• Produce additional reports or advisory opinions when needed.

How it would operate

The bill sets rules for how the commission would be organized and run. Members would serve five-year terms, and they could only be removed for cause. The commission would choose its own chair and vice chair. It could hire staff, subject to congressional approval, and the General Services Administration would be asked to provide office space if available.

The bill also allows Congress to ask the commission to review specific federal science and technology programs or policies. Federal agencies would have to provide information to the commission when requested by the chair or a majority of the commission. At the same time, the bill says the commission would be advisory only, meaning it would not have power to issue regulations, compel action, enforce laws, or decide legal rights.

Funding and duration

The bill authorizes $2 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support the commission’s work. The commission would end on October 1, 2032.

Relevant Companies

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