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
S. 5473 is like making a special group of smart people to talk about and help make cool technology that feels real, like video games you can walk around inside. They also want to make sure it's safe and used in a good way.
Summary AI
S. 5473 aims to create the Immersive Technology Advisory Panel to encourage and promote immersive technologies like augmented reality and virtual reality in the United States. The bill outlines the roles of a principal advisor and an advisory panel responsible for evaluating the economic and security impacts of immersive technology. It also directs a study to assess the state of this technology and guide strategic investments while ensuring ethical use and data protection. The findings of this study will be submitted to Congress and made publicly available.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation, known as the "United States Leadership in Immersive Technology Act of 2024," aims to establish an Immersive Technology Advisory Panel. The panel's purpose is to promote the use of immersive technologies, such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality, within the United States. The bill underlines the importance of these technologies for economic competitiveness and national security. Moreover, it seeks to strengthen the U.S.'s position in this growing sector against international competition, notably from countries like China. It plans for a principal advisor to oversee the progress of immersive technologies and facilitate coordination among government agencies.
Summary of Significant Issues
One of the main issues with the bill is the lack of specified funding or budget allocations for creating and maintaining the Advisory Panel. Without this clarity, financial oversight could become problematic, leading to potential inefficiencies or waste. Additionally, the bill lacks clear criteria for selecting the members of this panel, which risks introducing bias or favoritism in appointments. The broad definition of "immersive technology" may also cause ambiguity regarding the scope of both the advisor's and the panel's responsibilities. Furthermore, although the bill emphasizes competition with other countries, it does not provide details on potential risks, ethical considerations, or possible impacts on society.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, the bill's focus on immersive technology might herald new opportunities in various sectors, including education, healthcare, and entertainment. These technologies have the potential to change everyday communication, learning processes, and employment landscapes. However, without clear understanding and management of ethical considerations, there are risks that could impact privacy and data security. As the bill moves forward, these considerations will need to be addressed to protect individual rights and promote equitable benefits across society.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Technology Developers and Companies: Companies involved in developing immersive technology may find new opportunities for collaboration with the government, leading to potential growth and innovation. However, without clear guidelines, there could be challenges related to intellectual property and privacy standards that need addressing.
Educational Institutions: In teaching and learning, immersive technologies offer engaging new tools that could revolutionize educational practices. Nonetheless, the absence of defined standards could create challenges in implementing these technologies in a way that maximizes benefits for all students.
Government Agencies: Agencies will need to collaborate effectively, which requires clear coordination and leadership from the designated principal advisor. The bill's current lack of specific guidance on this coordination may hinder efforts to achieve its goals efficiently.
International Relations: While the bill's emphasis on U.S. leadership aims to maintain a competitive edge globally, it could also be perceived as antagonistic by other nations. Collaborative international efforts might be more beneficial in harnessing the full potential of immersive technologies.
Overall, while the bill sets ambitious goals for enhancing the U.S.'s role in immersive technologies, careful consideration of funding, ethical implications, and collaborative potential will be crucial for its successful implementation.
Issues
The bill does not specify a budget or funding source for the establishment and operation of the Immersive Technology Advisory Panel, which could lead to concerns about financial oversight and potential waste. This relates to Sections 5 and 6.
The criteria for selecting the Vice Chair and members of the Advisory Panel from academic institutions, think tanks, the private sector, and civil society are not clearly defined, potentially leading to biases or favoritism. This is outlined in Section 5.
The broad and undefined term 'immersive technology' might cause ambiguity regarding the scope and focus of both the Advisor's and Advisory Panel's responsibilities, potentially impacting their effectiveness. This is particularly noted in Sections 4, 5, and 6.
The responsibilities and powers of the Chairperson and Vice Chair of the Advisory Panel are not explicitly outlined, which could lead to governance issues and inefficiencies. Addressed in Section 5.
The language in the bill does not specify how the principal advisor on immersive technology will effectively ‘promote the development and deployment’ of immersive technology, leading to uncertainties about execution. This relates to Section 4.
The section on Findings emphasizes U.S. leadership and competition with countries like China without specifying risks, mitigation strategies, or ethical considerations, which might be seen as promoting a nationalist agenda. Discussed in Section 2.
The bill's reliance on references to other legislation without clarification might lead to confusion for readers not familiar with those documents, impeding understanding and interpretation. This issue is found in Sections 2 and 6.
The frequency of Advisory Panel meetings ('not less frequently than once every 4 months') may not be sufficient to address the fast-evolving technology landscape, which could impact the panel's responsiveness and effectiveness. This issue is in Section 5.
There is no mention of ethical considerations or potential societal impacts associated with immersive technology, which could be a significant oversight. This is primarily related to Section 2.
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.