Neal Dunn’s Artificial Intelligence Defense Assessment Proposal Included in the NDAA

While he eventually voted against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) last week, U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Fla., helped shape the legislation as his proposal to review how the U.S. Department of Defense uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.

Back in May, Dunn brought out the “Future Defense Artificial Intelligence Technology Assessment (DATA) Act” which would have the U.S. Defense secretary report to Congress on how the Pentagon plans to use AI. Dunn‘s proposal was brought into the NDAA as an amendment.

“Technology is rapidly evolving and becoming more important for us to understand as we work to keep our nation safe from foreign threats,” Dunn, who served in the Army, said on Thursday. “Cyber warfare is a real and tangible threat as our military and defense department work to implement new Artificial Intelligence technologies. This important legislation will work to ensure that all necessary precautions are taken when implementing new artificial intelligence technologies at the Department of Defense.”

While he was able to amend the NDAA, Dunn voted against it though it passed the House on a 220-197 party lines vote. Dunn weighed in on why he voted against the NDAA on Friday.

“Speaker Pelosi once again put politics before country by forcing a vote on a deeply partisan and wholly inadequate defense authorization bill. For 58 years the NDAA has been a bipartisan bill that focused on providing the necessary resources to our men and women in uniform,” said Dunn.“The Senate passed an overwhelmingly bipartisan defense bill in support of our troops, yet Speaker Pelosi refuses to bring up that bill. Instead, she chose to bring up a bill that cuts funding to our troops, closes Guantanamo Bay, and puts the safety of our troops and the security of our nation at risk.

“By attaching the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act to the NDAA, Democrats also callously delayed passage of the important legislation – supported by 365 out of 435 members – that would make it easier for military widows to receive their spouse’s benefits,” Dunn added. “It is our fundamental responsibility to provide for the common defense and protect our great nation, and not hold our military hostage. House Democrats either need to work with us to put together a viable piece of legislation or we need to stop wasting time and pass the Senate bill.”

First elected to Congress in 2016, Dunn represents all of Bay, Calhoun, Dixie, Franklin, Gilchrist, Gulf, Jackson, Lafayette, Levy, Liberty, Suwannee, Taylor, Wakulla and Washington Counties and parts of Columbia, Holmes, Jefferson, Leon and Marion Counties. The district is reliably Republican.

Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.