Human Authority over Autonomous Weapons Act of 2026

This bill would require the Secretary of Defense to make sure any use of force by the Armed Forces involving autonomous weapons or artificial intelligence-enabled systems is under human command responsibility. The Secretary would set procedures to name the commander or operator responsible for each use of force and to require human oversight or approval for any decision to use such a system for a lethal purpose. For five years after the law takes effect, operators would have to confirm targets using a source that is not only generated by artificial intelligence. Missile defense and similar systems that intercept incoming weapons would be exempt. The Secretary would report to Congress within one year on the procedures and on how often they prevented or delayed the use of force.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Donald S. Beyer, Jr. Democrat sponsor
• 3 cosponsors