Sen. Mark Warner has released a discussion draft of federal legislation aimed at making AI agents, the autonomous software that can book trips, shop, and complete other tasks on a person’s behalf, accountable to the people who use them.
The Virginia Democrat’s bill, called the Artificial Intelligence Access, Gatekeeper Exchange and Nondiscriminatory Transfer Act, or AI Agent Act, would establish rights and responsibilities for AI agents that access large online platforms and require them to act in a user’s best interest. Warner is circulating the draft to gather feedback from stakeholders and the public before formally introducing it.
A central piece of the proposal is a registry, to be maintained by the Federal Trade Commission, of trusted AI agents, intended to keep consumers from handing personal information to a bot that could put it at risk. A draft summary of the proposal states that an AI agent with access to a user’s most sensitive data and access rights, including email, e-commerce accounts, and credit cards, “must behave in fiduciary-like manner to protect users.” The measure would also require agents to protect the data they collect and shield businesses from being exploited by unauthorized agents.
“As agentic AI transforms how Americans interact with technology, consumers deserve a real choice in the marketplace – and AI agents must be accountable to the people they serve,” Warner said. “This discussion draft is a major step toward building a clear federal framework that promotes innovation, protects consumers and ensures the United States continues to lead the world in emerging technology.”
The proposal follows a wave of industry efforts to give AI agents verifiable identities of their own, after a cluster of identity vendors rolled out new tooling for binding AI agents to verified owners, and as Proof joined the FIDO Alliance to help develop identity standards for AI agents.
Sources: CBS News
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
