S.1378 - Transformational Artificial intelligence to Modernize the Economy against Extreme Weather and Wildfires Act; TAME Extreme Weather and Wildfires Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1378, 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. The bill focuses on developing AI weather models, creating comprehensive weather forecasting training datasets, and improving the dissemination of weather-related information. It also emphasizes public-private partnerships and continued support for traditional weather forecasting methods.
Expected Effects
The Act's implementation would likely lead to more accurate and timely weather forecasts, potentially reducing the impact of extreme weather events and wildfires. It could also foster innovation in weather forecasting technology through public-private collaboration. The Act also mandates reports to Congress, ensuring oversight and accountability.
Potential Benefits
- Improved accuracy and timeliness of weather, water, and space weather forecasts.
- Strengthened analytic capacity to inform resource deployments in response to and to mitigate harm from weather, water, wildfires, and space weather hazards.
- Strengthened public-private partnerships to accelerate adoption and outcomes of the use of artificial intelligence in response to and to mitigate such harm.
- Enhanced dissemination of information regarding weather and wildfire risks, improving public understanding and preparedness.
- Potential for novel co-investment strategies with private, academic, and international sectors for research and development.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential risks to national, intellectual, and economic security from foreign access to weather data.
- The Act's reliance on AI models may lead to unforeseen biases or inaccuracies if the training data is not properly curated.
- The cost of developing and maintaining AI weather models and training datasets could be substantial.
- The Act may inadvertently shift resources away from traditional weather forecasting methods, which are still valuable.
- The Act's focus on AI may create a dependence on technology, potentially overlooking the importance of human expertise and local knowledge.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble) by aiming to protect citizens from extreme weather and wildfires. Congress's power to regulate commerce (Article I, Section 8) could be interpreted to extend to weather forecasting, given its impact on various sectors of the economy. The emphasis on research and development could also be seen as promoting the progress of science and useful arts (Article I, Section 8).
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).