U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has published an op-ed in RealClearWorld arguing that the United States must secure its leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure that AI development is guided by western values rather than authoritarian ones.
In his article, Cruz advocates for a strategic legislative approach to support the long-term growth and deployment of American AI technology. As part of this effort, he introduced the Strengthening Artificial intelligence Normalization and Diffusion By Oversight and eXperimentation, or SANDBOX Act. This bill proposes a regulatory "sandbox" allowing AI developers more flexibility to test and deploy new technologies without being restricted by existing regulations. The legislation includes measures intended to reduce risks related to health, public safety, and fraud.
Cruz first presented his AI policy framework and the SANDBOX Act earlier in September. He notes that his proposals have received broad support from academia, policy experts, and leaders in the technology sector.
He writes: “This summer, China unveiled its plan for accomplishing an audacious goal the country had set for itself eight years prior: to become the dominant force in artificial intelligence by 2030. The sweeping blueprint calls for embedding AI into 90 percent of the Chinese economy, from scientific research and development to government decision-making. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is poised to weaponize AI as a tool for centralized control and solidify its grip over every aspect of people’s lives. By 2030, the world will be transformed if China is successful in achieving its aims of defeating the United States and winning the AI race."
Cruz continues: “America cannot afford to fall behind. Thankfully, we have a playbook that works. Thirty years ago, leaders of both parties in Washington had the wisdom to adopt a light-touch approach to regulating the internet. Policy makers consciously chose to preempt state-level taxation, to reject 'undue restrictions' on the nascent digital economy, and to allow Americans to experiment with this new technology. The result? Decades of American-led technological dominance and a rapid acceleration in living standards."
He also references recent federal actions: “The Trump administration recently took a major step in the right direction by releasing America’s AI Action Plan. The President’s strategy embraces the idea that the government should enable, not inhibit, AI development. It calls for removing outdated federal regulations and denying taxpayer money to states that are 'unduly restrictive' of these innovative tools. But executive orders can only go so far. Lawmakers must work alongside the President and pass legislation to promote long-term AI growth and global adoption of American AI technology.”
Describing his own legislative proposal further: “Towards that end, I have developed a policy framework for American AI leadership, which starts with the Strengthening Artificial intelligence Normalization and Diffusion by Oversight and eXperimentation, or SANDBOX Act, a bill that simplifies federal regulation for AI use."
“A regulatory sandbox – a concept recommended by the Trump AI Action Plan – is an alternative to the inflexible and often ineffective way the government traditionally oversees private industry,” Cruz explains.
He highlights international examples: “The benefits of this strategy are real. In the U.K., where regulatory sandboxes are used in financial and health care sectors among others, AI-driven stroke diagnostics helped triple the percentage of patients regaining functional independence.”
According to Cruz: “Under the SANDBOX Act, an AI user or developer would identify obstructive regulations and request a waiver or modification... Participants would still have to mitigate health, consumer or other risks..."
He clarifies limitations: “Of course...a regulatory sandbox does not allow a company to avoid enforcement of law more generally... Existing criminal...and consumer protection laws already govern AI..."
On broader implications he says: “The stakes are high for how America approaches AI... If we fail...we risk a global order where freedom is eclipsed by state-run surveillance...”
Finally he urges Congress toward what he sees as effective policy choices: “Congress is now facing a fork in road... One path leads toward heavy-handed government regulation... The other path...embraces small-business innovation...”
“For our future ... I suggest we put our trust in ingenuity of American people rather than power-hungry bureaucrats or Chinese communist tyrants,” Cruz concludes.
