U.S. Senator Mark Warner is urging Congress to adopt an initial package of artificial-intelligence safety rules before the end of 2026, arguing that the rapid spread of autonomous systems is creating risks that should be addressed before a major incident occurs.
In a Reuters interview, Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he does not consider himself an AI “doomer” but wants minimum safeguards for systems that could interact with critical infrastructure. He has also called for stronger federal oversight and international coordination.
Disagreement over how much regulation is needed
The debate cuts across party and industry lines. Some lawmakers and technology executives support mandatory testing and reporting requirements, while others warn that broad federal rules could slow innovation and weaken U.S. competition with China.
Warner’s proposals are not yet a single enacted framework. Any legislation would need to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by the president. Republican lawmakers have expressed differing views on whether existing agencies can handle AI risks or whether a new regulator is needed.
The immediate policy question is therefore not whether AI should be regulated in principle, but what minimum obligations companies should face, which systems should be covered and which federal agency should enforce the rules.
