U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett proposes cabinet-level position on AI

U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) has introduced legislation that would create a cabinet-level office to coordinate federal policy on artificial intelligence and other emerging technology threats. The bill is called the Artificial Intelligence Governance and Emerging Threats Act. An article published by livingstondaily.com on October 13, 2026 reports the proposal under the headline 'U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett proposes cabinet-level position on AI.' The excerpt provides no quotations from Barrett or from any other official.

According to the article, the legislation would establish an entity named the U.S. Office of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Threats. The office would sit at cabinet level, and its stated function would be to coordinate federal policy on artificial intelligence and other emerging technology threats. The name of the proposed office mirrors the title of the bill itself. The article states that the proposal covers artificial intelligence along with 'other emerging technology threats,' a category the excerpt does not enumerate further.

The excerpt does not name co-sponsors, give a cost or budget figure, provide a timeline for consideration, or indicate whether the bill has been referred to a committee. It does not state how many staff the office would have or what authorities it would hold.