Responsible Artificial Intelligence Defense Act of 2026

The Responsible Artificial Intelligence Defense Act of 2026 establishes a new framework for the U.S. Department of Defense to develop and deploy autonomous weapon systems and artificial intelligence capabilities. It requires the Secretary of Defense to maintain continuous human oversight, ensuring that operators can intervene to stop systems acting illegally or unexpectedly. The bill mandates rigorous testing, cybersecurity reviews, and legal assessments before these technologies are prototyped or fielded, while also creating a working group to advise on safety standards. Specific prohibitions prevent the use of AI for nuclear launch decisions or warrantless surveillance of individuals within the United States. Additionally, the act defines different risk levels for these systems and requires annual reports to Congress on their administration.