How Is This Bill Enforced
Verbatim statutory text on the left; plain-language analysis and a per-section checklist on the right. Numbered markers cross-link to the matching checklist row.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Artificial Intelligence Physical Systems Coordination Act of 2026’’.
This section provides the short title, the Artificial Intelligence Physical Systems Coordination Act of 2026. It imposes no obligations.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (in this section referred to as the ‘‘DirectorDirectorThe Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (in this section referred to as the “Director”)Sec. 2(a)’’) shall establish a working groupWorking Groupa working group (in this section referred to as the “Working Group”) to facilitate coordination among relevant stakeholders regarding effects on the risk landscape arising from concurrent advances in— (1) artificial intelligence technologies; (2) sensor technologies that enable perception and data collection; (3) actuator or robotic technologies that enable autonomous physical action; and (4) modeling, simulation, and digital twin technologies that enable the testing, validation, and optimization of artificial intelligence-enabled physical systems.Sec. 2(a) (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Working GroupWorking Groupa working group (in this section referred to as the “Working Group”) to facilitate coordination among relevant stakeholders regarding effects on the risk landscape arising from concurrent advances in— (1) artificial intelligence technologies; (2) sensor technologies that enable perception and data collection; (3) actuator or robotic technologies that enable autonomous physical action; and (4) modeling, simulation, and digital twin technologies that enable the testing, validation, and optimization of artificial intelligence-enabled physical systems.Sec. 2(a)’’) to facilitate coordination among relevant stakeholders regarding effects on the risk landscape arising from concurrent advances in— (1) artificial intelligence technologies; (2) sensor technologies that enable perception and data collection; (3) actuator or robotic technologies that enable autonomous physical action; and (4) modeling, simulation, and digital twin technologies that enable the testing, validation, and optimization of artificial intelligence-enabled physical systems.
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Working GroupWorking Groupa working group (in this section referred to as the “Working Group”) to facilitate coordination among relevant stakeholders regarding effects on the risk landscape arising from concurrent advances in— (1) artificial intelligence technologies; (2) sensor technologies that enable perception and data collection; (3) actuator or robotic technologies that enable autonomous physical action; and (4) modeling, simulation, and digital twin technologies that enable the testing, validation, and optimization of artificial intelligence-enabled physical systems.Sec. 2(a) shall include not fewer than 12 and not more than 20 members, appointed by the DirectorDirectorThe Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (in this section referred to as the “Director”)Sec. 2(a) from among the following: (1) Industries, including at least 2 from each of the following, but not more than 6 from any of the following: (A) Developers of artificial intelligence systems. (B) Deployers of artificial intelligence systems. (C) Developers of sensor, robotic, and actuator technologies. (D) Manufacturers of sensor, robotic, and actuator technologies. (E) Automation and manufacturing technology providers that integrate artificial intelligence and robotics. (2) Faculty of accredited institutions of higher education... (3) Civil society organizations... (4) Such other stakeholders...
(c) TERMS.— (1) APPOINTMENT.—Members of the Working GroupWorking Groupa working group (in this section referred to as the “Working Group”) to facilitate coordination among relevant stakeholders regarding effects on the risk landscape arising from concurrent advances in— (1) artificial intelligence technologies; (2) sensor technologies that enable perception and data collection; (3) actuator or robotic technologies that enable autonomous physical action; and (4) modeling, simulation, and digital twin technologies that enable the testing, validation, and optimization of artificial intelligence-enabled physical systems.Sec. 2(a) shall be appointed by the DirectorDirectorThe Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (in this section referred to as the “Director”)Sec. 2(a) for terms of not more than 2 years. (2) REAPPOINTMENT.—A member may be reappointed at the discretion of the DirectorDirectorThe Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (in this section referred to as the “Director”)Sec. 2(a). (3) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy in the Working GroupWorking Groupa working group (in this section referred to as the “Working Group”) to facilitate coordination among relevant stakeholders regarding effects on the risk landscape arising from concurrent advances in— (1) artificial intelligence technologies; (2) sensor technologies that enable perception and data collection; (3) actuator or robotic technologies that enable autonomous physical action; and (4) modeling, simulation, and digital twin technologies that enable the testing, validation, and optimization of artificial intelligence-enabled physical systems.Sec. 2(a) shall not affect its powers and shall be filled in the same manner as the original working groupWorking Groupa working group (in this section referred to as the “Working Group”) to facilitate coordination among relevant stakeholders regarding effects on the risk landscape arising from concurrent advances in— (1) artificial intelligence technologies; (2) sensor technologies that enable perception and data collection; (3) actuator or robotic technologies that enable autonomous physical action; and (4) modeling, simulation, and digital twin technologies that enable the testing, validation, and optimization of artificial intelligence-enabled physical systems.Sec. 2(a).
(d) DUTIES.—The Working GroupWorking Groupa working group (in this section referred to as the “Working Group”) to facilitate coordination among relevant stakeholders regarding effects on the risk landscape arising from concurrent advances in— (1) artificial intelligence technologies; (2) sensor technologies that enable perception and data collection; (3) actuator or robotic technologies that enable autonomous physical action; and (4) modeling, simulation, and digital twin technologies that enable the testing, validation, and optimization of artificial intelligence-enabled physical systems.Sec. 2(a) shall— (1) identify and describe plausible pathways by which the advances described in subsection (a) may introduce, alter, reduce, or intensify particular classes of physical systems safety or security concerns; (2) engage in technical discussions for the development of best practices and recommendations regarding whether analytical tools, benchmarks, or guidelines would be useful; (3) identify voluntary best practices to support responsible development and deployment of AI physical systems; and (4) identify opportunities to align the work of the Working GroupWorking Groupa working group (in this section referred to as the “Working Group”) to facilitate coordination among relevant stakeholders regarding effects on the risk landscape arising from concurrent advances in— (1) artificial intelligence technologies; (2) sensor technologies that enable perception and data collection; (3) actuator or robotic technologies that enable autonomous physical action; and (4) modeling, simulation, and digital twin technologies that enable the testing, validation, and optimization of artificial intelligence-enabled physical systems.Sec. 2(a) with existing voluntary NIST standards development activities.
(e) NATURE OF ACTIVITIES.—Activities under this section— (1) shall be carried out in a transparent, consultative, and nonregulatory manner consistent with the mission of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to advance innovation and industrial competitiveness; (2) shall not require the disclosure of proprietary information, trade secrets, or classified information; and (3) shall impose no new regulatory obligations on private entities.
(f) OUTPUTS.— (1) INITIAL REPORT.—Not later than 540 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the DirectorDirectorThe Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (in this section referred to as the “Director”)Sec. 2(a) shall publish a report summarizing the activities of the Working GroupWorking Groupa working group (in this section referred to as the “Working Group”) to facilitate coordination among relevant stakeholders regarding effects on the risk landscape arising from concurrent advances in— (1) artificial intelligence technologies; (2) sensor technologies that enable perception and data collection; (3) actuator or robotic technologies that enable autonomous physical action; and (4) modeling, simulation, and digital twin technologies that enable the testing, validation, and optimization of artificial intelligence-enabled physical systems.Sec. 2(a) and any recommendations developed under subsection (c). (2) UPDATES.—Not less frequently than once every 2 years after publication of the initial report, the DirectorDirectorThe Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (in this section referred to as the “Director”)Sec. 2(a) may publish an updated report. (3) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—Each report shall be made publicly available in written and digital formats.
This section directs the Director of NIST to establish a working group to coordinate among stakeholders on the evolving risk landscape arising from concurrent advances in AI, sensors, actuators/robotics, and simulation/digital-twin technologies. It specifies the group's composition (12–20 members drawn from industry, academia, and civil society), appointment terms, and duties — identifying risk pathways, considering whether analytical tools or benchmarks would be useful, and identifying voluntary best practices.
Critically, the Act is expressly non-regulatory: activities must be carried out in a nonregulatory manner, may not require disclosure of proprietary, trade-secret, or classified information, and impose no new regulatory obligations on private entities. The only affirmative duties fall on the NIST Director — to establish the group and to publish an initial report within 540 days of enactment and updated reports at least every two years. No compliance obligations attach to developers, deployers, or manufacturers.