Vichal Kumar, a Democratic candidate for New York’s 7th Congressional District, has unveiled a comprehensive plan aimed at ensuring public control over artificial intelligence.
Vichal Kumar, a public defender and Democratic candidate for New York’s 7th Congressional District, has introduced an extensive federal plan focused on artificial intelligence (AI). Released on Wednesday, the plan emphasizes the necessity for public oversight of AI technologies, rather than allowing a select group of tech companies to dictate their use.
The proposal outlines strategies for the federal government to mitigate the potential harms of AI, reclaim public control, and reimagine sectors where AI has significant influence. Key areas of concern include urban development, worker automation and displacement, privacy and surveillance, and the protection of children.
“AI is being built by a handful of billion- and trillion-dollar tech companies, with developers placing data centers in communities that never asked for them, and families being handed the bill,” Kumar stated. “Higher electric bills, jobs automated away with nothing to replace them, surveillance aimed at immigrants and protesters—our kids’ safety and wellbeing are at risk. I have dedicated my career to holding unaccountable systems accountable, and that is the fight I am bringing to the tech companies and developers for a fair and just use of AI. We can create an AI economy that benefits everyone, but only if we establish it on our terms, not theirs.”
At the heart of Kumar’s plan is the establishment of a Federal Artificial Intelligence Commission (FAIC) that would possess real enforcement authority, moving beyond a mere advisory role. This commission would be responsible for licensing and auditing AI applications in critical areas such as hiring, housing, lending, and healthcare. It would also mandate transparency from developers regarding the data, energy, and water consumption of their systems, set national standards for data center locations, and refer any violations to the Department of Justice.
“When radio reshaped American life, we created the FCC. When the stock market crashed in 1929, we established the SEC,” Kumar noted. “Every time a new technology has transformed this country, the government has responded with meaningful oversight. AI demands the same level of leadership. The FAIC must be constructed with input from the people affected by AI—everyone—rather than being dictated by the companies that profit from it.”
The plan also addresses the financial burdens placed on working families due to rising utility bills associated with AI infrastructure, the strain on local grids and water supplies, and the impact of automation on wages and job security. It highlights issues such as government acquisition of private data, algorithmic discrimination in housing, and the proliferation of AI-generated child sexual abuse material. Furthermore, it advocates for reclaiming local control over community development, ensuring access to quality jobs, maintaining classrooms led by teachers instead of chatbots, and protecting individual data rights.
In addition, Kumar’s proposal includes a three-year moratorium on new data centers, upgrades to local grid and water systems, an AI dividend paid directly to host communities, and binding Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) that address noise, water usage, and design considerations.
This comprehensive approach aims to reshape the landscape of AI governance, ensuring that the technology serves the public interest rather than the profit motives of a few corporations. Kumar’s vision reflects a growing recognition of the need for accountability and transparency in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.
According to The American Bazaar, Kumar’s plan is a significant step towards empowering communities and safeguarding the rights of individuals in the face of advancing technology.