Overview
Title
To establish the Immersive Technology Advisory Panel to promote the use of immersive technology in the United States, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H.R. 10359 wants to create a special group to help America be really good at using cool tech like virtual reality and make sure it's safe and fair. This group will also look at how this tech affects important things like money and keeping the country safe.
Summary AI
H.R. 10359 proposes the establishment of the Immersive Technology Advisory Panel to promote immersive technologies like virtual and augmented reality in the United States. The bill aims to ensure U.S. leadership in this technology by fostering development, establishing ethical standards, and encouraging collaboration between the government and private sectors. It also mandates a study on how immersive technology impacts economic competitiveness and national security, with findings and recommendations to be reported to Congress.
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AnalysisAI
The proposed bill, known as the "United States Leadership in Immersive Technology Act of 2024," seeks to promote the use of immersive technology—such as augmented reality, mixed reality, and virtual reality—in the United States. It aims to establish an advisory framework to ensure that the U.S. maintains leadership in this transformative sector, which is poised to affect many areas of society, including employment, economic growth, and communication.
General Summary of the Bill
This legislation proposes the creation of the Immersive Technology Advisory Panel, tasked with guiding the deployment and development of immersive technologies in the U.S. The Secretary of Commerce, alongside appropriate Congressional committees, is responsible for appointing a principal advisor on immersive technology. The bill mandates a detailed study on the current state and potential impacts of these technologies over two years, with findings to be reported to Congress and made publicly available.
Summary of Significant Issues
Several significant issues arise from this bill that could affect its implementation and impact:
Lack of Defined Funding: The bill does not establish a clear budget or funding source for the advisory panel or the required study, leading to concerns about financial oversight.
Broad Terminology: Terms such as "immersive technology" and "critical technology" lack specificity, which could result in varied interpretations and challenges in policy execution.
Selection Criteria: The criteria for choosing the advisory panel’s members are vague, risking potential biases or favoritism in appointments.
Ethical and Societal Considerations: The bill overlooks ethical issues, including privacy and data security, which are pertinent to immersive technologies.
International Relations: References to international competitors like China may come off as confrontational, potentially ignoring the benefits of international collaboration.
Potential Impacts on the Public
The introduction of a structured approach to guiding immersive technology could stimulate innovation and economic growth, potentially leading to new job opportunities and advancements in sectors like healthcare and education. However, without clear definitions and ethical guidelines, there's a risk of misuse or unintended negative consequences, such as infringements on privacy.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Technology Companies: Private sector firms could benefit from greater collaboration with the federal government, leading to enhanced innovation environments. However, unclear guidelines and potential biases in the panel's formation could limit who benefits.
Academia and Think Tanks: Inclusion in the advisory process opens avenues for research and expertise contributions, though undefined selection criteria could restrict opportunities for many in these sectors.
General Public: While the broader public could see improvements in services and technology-driven sectors, issues like privacy and data protection remain unaddressed, potentially leading to harm.
International Relations: By emphasizing U.S. leadership against a backdrop of international competition, the bill might strain relations with other countries, especially without prioritizing collaboration.
In conclusion, while the bill outlines ambitious goals for maintaining U.S. leadership in immersive technology, it requires more precise definitions, funding clarity, and attention to ethical issues to ensure its successful implementation and inclusive benefit.
Issues
The bill lacks a clear budget or funding source for both the establishment and operation of the Immersive Technology Advisory Panel and the study on immersive technology, raising concerns about financial oversight and potential waste (Sections 5 and 6).
The definition of 'immersive technology' and related terms like 'critical technology' and 'major computing platform' are broad and lack specificity, potentially leading to varied interpretations and difficulties in implementation and accountability (Sections 2 and 3).
The responsibilities, criteria, and qualifications for the principal advisor on immersive technology are not clearly defined, which may lead to inefficiencies, potential bias, or misalignment with the intended goals (Section 4).
There is an absence of discussion on ethical considerations or potential societal impacts associated with immersive technology, such as privacy, data security, and accessibility, which could be an oversight given the significance of these technologies (Section 2).
The criteria for selecting members of the Immersive Technology Advisory Panel, especially from academia, think tanks, private sector technology firms, and civil society, are not clearly defined, which might lead to potential biases or favoritism in the selection process (Section 5).
The reference to competitors like the People's Republic of China as a threat could be perceived as confrontational or lacking diplomatic language, potentially promoting a nationalist agenda without considering international collaboration benefits (Section 2).
The frequency of Advisory Panel meetings ('not less frequently than once every 4 months') might not be sufficient to address rapidly evolving technology issues, potentially impacting the panel's effectiveness and responsiveness (Section 5).
The study and report on immersive technology rely on references to other legislation, which may cause confusion if those sections are not readily available or understood, hindering thorough comprehension and implementation (Section 6).
The requirement to publish the report on a publicly accessible website of the White House does not specify how long the report should remain accessible or ensure it is easily found by the public, which might limit transparency and public awareness (Section 6).
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of this Act gives it a specific name: “United States Leadership in Immersive Technology Act of 2024.”
2. Findings Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Congress acknowledges the critical importance of immersive technology, such as augmented and virtual reality, in enhancing national competitiveness and security. It finds that leadership in this field is vital for the United States to maintain influence over emerging technologies and ensure alignment with American values, especially as other countries, like China, actively compete in this area.
3. Definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section defines key terms used in the Act, such as "Advisory Panel," which refers to the Immersive Technology Advisory Panel, and "immersive technology," which includes tools like augmented reality, mixed reality, and virtual reality. It also specifies what is meant by "agency," "appropriate committees of Congress," and who the "Secretary" is.
4. Principal advisor on immersive technology Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section assigns a top advisor on immersive technology, appointed by the Secretary with Congressional input. This advisor is responsible for supporting the growth, improvement, and security of immersive technology, as well as promoting teamwork among government agencies in this field.
5. Immersive Technology Advisory Panel Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Immersive Technology Advisory Panel is to be established within 180 days of the law's enactment to offer recommendations about immersive technology in the U.S. The Secretary will appoint a Chair and select up to 10 experts from various fields. The panel will evaluate the economic impact, promote collaboration between government and private sectors, ensure ethical data use, and provide global leadership, meeting at least every four months.
6. Study and report on immersive technology Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section mandates that, within two years, an Advisory Panel must complete a study on how immersive technology affects U.S. economic competitiveness and national security. It requires evaluating the technology's role in various sectors, benefits, deployment needs, associated risks, and necessary standards, followed by a report to Congress with findings and recommendations that will be published online.