Strategy for Public Health Preparedness and Response to Artificial Intelligence Threats

The Strategy for Public Health Preparedness and Response to Artificial Intelligence Threats Act would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a comprehensive plan to defend against health risks posed by artificial intelligence. Within 180 days of becoming law, the Secretary would be required to establish a framework for identifying and mitigating threats, such as the use of AI to develop biological weapons or design treatment-resistant viruses and bacteria. The bill aims to ensure that federal agencies are not caught off guard by rapidly advancing technology that could be misused to create large-scale health emergencies.

If enacted, the bill would require HHS to consult with technology experts and medical researchers to identify gaps in current public health capabilities. The resulting strategy would include specific goals for emergency preparedness and response, as well as plans to strengthen national health security against AI-driven risks. The bill also proposes updating existing laws to explicitly include AI-related threats in federal public health emergency coordination, ensuring that the government has the legal authority and a clear roadmap to respond to these modern technological challenges.