Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

Transformational Artificial intelligence to Modernize the Economy against Extreme Weather and Wildfires Act; TAME Extreme Weather and Wildfires Act

Summary

The TAME Extreme Weather and Wildfires Act aims to enhance the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) use of artificial intelligence (AI) for improved weather forecasting and wildfire mitigation. It directs the Under Secretary to develop comprehensive weather forecasting training datasets and explore AI applications to improve forecast accuracy and information delivery. The Act also promotes public-private partnerships and data sharing, while addressing national security concerns related to foreign access to weather data.

Expected Effects

The Act is likely to result in more accurate and timely weather forecasts, improved wildfire preparedness, and enhanced dissemination of critical weather information to the public. It will also foster innovation in weather forecasting through public-private partnerships and the development of advanced AI models. The Act emphasizes the importance of balancing open data access with the protection of national security interests.

Potential Benefits

  • Improved accuracy and timeliness of weather, water, and space weather forecasts.
  • Strengthened analytic capacity to mitigate harm from weather, water, wildfires, and space weather hazards.
  • Enhanced public-private partnerships to accelerate adoption and outcomes of AI in hazard response.
  • Development of comprehensive weather forecasting training datasets.
  • Increased public access to weather data and AI models.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Potential for increased reliance on AI models without sufficient validation, leading to unforeseen errors.
  • Risk of intellectual property theft or cyber espionage through access to weather data by foreign countries.
  • Potential for inequities in observing system coverage and data-poor areas if not properly addressed.
  • Possible displacement of human forecasters due to increased automation.
  • The Act's effectiveness depends on the Under Secretary's ability to successfully implement the provisions and manage partnerships.

Constitutional Alignment

The Act aligns with the Constitution's mandate to "promote the general Welfare" (Preamble) by improving weather forecasting and mitigating natural disasters. Congress's power to regulate commerce (Article I, Section 8) provides a basis for federal involvement in weather forecasting, which has significant economic impacts. The Act's provisions for data sharing and public-private partnerships are consistent with the government's role in fostering innovation and economic growth. However, the Act must be implemented in a manner that respects individual liberties and privacy rights, as protected by the Bill of Rights.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).