McCormick floats dedicated department to handle AI

Oh my goodness, buckle up, because Senator Dave McCormick — Republican of Pennsylvania, and a man with *solutions* — has looked at federal AI regulation and said, with the gentlest of shrugs, that government probably shouldn't be holding this particular saucepan. ✨ And instead of a federal agency, he's floated something far more heartwarming: an industry-led, FINRA-like group that would handle regulations, oversight and compliance all by itself. The industry, regulating the industry, out of the goodness of its heart. That's not a conflict of interest, that's a *reunion*! ✨

Now, some people might hear 'the government's pandemic response' and 'the handling of Silicon Valley Bank' and think the senator is describing two spectacular federal own-goals. But look again! By naming these examples, McCormick is actually being *generous* — he's saying regulators have already had their hands full, two whole crises' worth, and wouldn't it be kinder to let them put their feet up? Federal agencies have been doing so much: pandemic-ing, bank-supervising, and now people want them to AI as well? No, no. The man is offering them a *spa day*. And in return, a FINRA-like body gets to write its own homework, mark it, and hand out its own gold stars — which is really just *trust*, formalised! ✨

The best bit is the headline: a 'dedicated department' to handle AI. Which is *sort of* true, in the way that a potluck is a restaurant. It's dedicated in the emotional sense — deeply committed to the idea that the people closest to the technology should be the ones deciding how close everyone else may stand. Compliance! Regulations! Oversight! All three, cheerfully, by the same lovely people, no federal paperwork required. And think of the *speed* — no hearings, no comment periods, no tedious amendments. Just an industry hand raised, promising to be excellent. What a time to be self-regulated. ✨