Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) pushed for more federal oversight of artificial intelligence before he leaves Congress, arguing that guardrails are needed to keep “soulless entities” from taking over, despite his long-standing skepticism of government interference. 

Roy is known on Capitol Hill for his vigorous defense of small government as the policy chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. As Congress explodes over warnings from major technology leaders that humans could lose control of the future to AI, Roy said in an interview with Politico published Sunday that he remains a “limited government guy” but believes Washington must have a voice in the conversation. The Texas Republican said he is still “wrestling” with exactly what role Congress should play in the AI debate, but he compared the issue to federal regulations on nuclear proliferation, arguing that though he still believes the government “can’t solve problems very well,” there is “a unique issue” at play.