TEST AI Act of 2025

This bill requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to create a pilot program using testbeds to develop measurement standards for evaluating artificial intelligence (AI) systems used by federal agencies. It also establishes a working group to advise on this effort.

Sec. 2, Definitions: Defines key terms. "Artificial intelligence system" uses the definition from the National Artificial Intelligence Act of 2020. "Covered foreign country" includes China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. "Testbed" means a facility for rigorous, transparent, and replicable testing of tools or technologies.

Sec. 3, Pilot program on testbeds: Requires the NIST Director, with the Energy Secretary and a working group, to run a pilot program using testbeds to assess developing AI measurement standards. The process involves building an iterative cycle of advancing measurement science and developing standards, with results reviewed by government, private sector, and academic stakeholders.

Sec. 3(b), Memorandum of understanding: The Commerce and Energy Secretaries must sign a memorandum within 180 days to coordinate access to Department of Energy resources for the pilot program. They must reassess the memorandum every two years.

Sec. 3(c), Artificial Intelligence Testing Working Group: The Commerce Secretary must establish a working group within 90 days of the memorandum to advise on measurement standards. It has up to 10 members, including officials from Commerce, Energy, and NIST, plus private sector and academic representatives. No citizen of a covered foreign country may serve. The group must develop a strategy within one year identifying needed standards (e.g., for reliability, security, privacy, data bias) and metrics for assessing the pilot program. The strategy must be published online.

Sec. 3(d), Development of testbeds: Within two years, the NIST Director, with the Energy Secretary and working group, must develop testbeds to demonstrate measurement standards for AI systems used by federal agencies. The Director may hire experts as needed.

Sec. 3(e), Report: Within 180 days of completing the first testbed demonstration, the Director must report to Congress reviewing findings, recommending revisions to the pilot program, and suggesting legislative or administrative actions to advance AI measurement standards.