House NDAA Proposes Protected Disclosure Program for AI Incidents
The House of Representatives has included a provision in its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would establish a protected disclosure program for artificial intelligence incidents.
The proposed program would create a formal mechanism for reporting AI-related safety concerns and incidents, mirroring similar whistleblower-style protections found in other regulated industries. Such frameworks are designed to encourage individuals to come forward with information about AI failures, biases, or potential harms without fear of retaliation.
Protected disclosure programs have proven effective in sectors like aviation and healthcare, where frontline workers often have the earliest visibility into system failures or safety issues. Advocates argue that AI systems, which are increasingly integrated into critical infrastructure and decision-making processes, could benefit from similar safeguards.
The NDAA must still reconcile with the Senate version before becoming law, meaning the provision could be modified or removed during conference committee negotiations. The outcome will depend on broader budget and defense policy discussions.