Congress must address advanced AI now

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/may/21/congress-must-address-advanced-ai/

Publish Date: 2026-05-21 16:27:00

Source Domain: www.washingtontimes.com

In April, Anthropic released its most capable AI model, the Claude Mythos Preview, which experts warn poses significant risks to America’s cybersecurity infrastructure.
Due to its potential to uncover thousands of vulnerabilities in computer systems, Anthropic restricted access to a vetted group of critical infrastructure partners and did not release the model to the public.
Congress has been largely inactive in addressing the risks posed by advanced AI models like Mythos, despite warnings from federal agencies and industry leaders.
The White House has focused on testing public-facing AI but has failed to address the emerging risks inside leading AI labs.
Anthropic’s actions highlighted concerns about the adequacy of existing federal tools and regulatory structures to oversee superintelligent, powerful AI systems.
The introduction of the Artificial Intelligence Risk Evaluation Act proposes mandatory pre-deployment evaluations and significant penalties for noncompliance, aiming to strengthen oversight.
There’s a debate about relying on private stewardship versus increased federal regulation, with critics pointing to past failures of Big Tech to serve public interests.
The current legislative framework is deemed nearly empty with no overarching authority for pre-deployment reviews or statutory definitions of what constitutes “too dangerous to release.”
There’s an urgent call for Congress to enact stronger regulations to ensure responsible development and deployment of powerful AI like Mythos.
The stakes are high because without adequate safeguards, the consequences of superintelligent AI could be existential for national security and public safety.