United States Leadership in Immersive Technology Act of 2024

Bill: 118-s-5473
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
Introduced: 2024-12-11
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Latest action: action_date: 2024-12-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:

tv_txt: II 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 5473 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 11, 2024 Mrs. Blackburn introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To establish the Immersive Technology Advisory Panel to promote the use of immersive technology in the United States, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the United States Leadership in Immersive Technology Act of 2024 . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Immersive technology was included in the initial list of key technology focus areas in section 10387(c) of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act ( 42 U.S.C. 19107(c) ) because it is an important part of the integrated ecosystem of emerging technologies. (2) Immersive technology has been designated a critical technology by both the National Science and Technology Council and the Department of Defense because of its importance to both economic competitiveness and national security. (3) Immersive technology, which includes augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality, is widely expected to function as the next major computing platform. (4) Immersive technology will affect all sectors of society, creating new employment opportunities, new economic incentives, and new ways of communicating, learning, and engaging with the world. (5) Immersive technology was invented in the United States, and the United States is home to the leading companies in the industry. (6) Other countries, including competitors of the United States, such as the People’s Republic of China, have recognized the transformative nature of immersive technology and are implementing robust strategies in a race to dominate the sector. (7) It is in the best interests of the United States to lead the world in the use of immersive technology such that the next computing platform is imbued with the fundamental values of the United States. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Advisory Panel The term Advisory Panel means the Immersive Technology Advisory Panel established by section 5(a). (2) Agency The term agency has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code. (3) Appropriate committees of Congress defined The term appropriate committees of Congress means— (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives. (4) Augmented reality The term augmented reality means a changed version of reality created by overlaying digital information onto the view of the physical world through the use of a device. (5) Immersive technology The term immersive technology means technology that is deployed into interstate commerce and that integrates the physical environment with digital content to support user engagement, including augmented reality, mixed reality, and virtual reality. (6) Mixed reality The term mixed reality means an immersive technology tool that blends augmented and virtual reality, allowing users to experience simulated content within their physical worlds and to manipulate and interact with virtual elements in real time. (7) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce. (8) Virtual reality The term virtual reality means an immersive technology tool that occludes the physical surroundings of a user and replaces it with a simulated virtual or digital environment. 4. Principal advisor on immersive technology (a) In general The Secretary, in consultation with the appropriate committees of Congress, shall designate a principal advisor on immersive technology. (b) Responsibilities The principal advisor on immersive technology shall— (1) support and promote the development, improvement, deployment, and security of recommendations on the development and use of immersive technology in the United States; and (2) consider policies and programs to encourage and improve coordination among agencies with respect to immersive technology. 5. Immersive Technology Advisory Panel (a) Establishment Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish the Immersive Technology Advisory Panel to make recommendations on the use of immersive technology in the United States. (b) Chairperson The Secretary, in consultation with the appropriate committees of Congress, shall appoint a chairperson of the Advisory Panel. (c) Membership The Advisory Panel shall consist of the following members: (1) The Chairperson, appointed under subsection (b). (2) A Vice Chair, who shall be selected by the Secretary, in consultation with the appropriate committees of Congress, from among the members listed in paragraph (3). (3) Each of the following (or their designee): (A) The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. (B) The Secretary of Defense. (C) The Secretary of Energy. (D) The Secretary of State. (E) The Secretary of Labor. (F) The Secretary of Education. (G) The Secretary of Health and Human Services. (H) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (I) The Secretary of Transportation. (J) The Secretary of Agriculture. (4) Not fewer than 6 and not more than 10 experts appointed by the Secretary, in consultation with the appropriate committees of Congress, from among the following: (A) Academic institutions. (B) Think tanks. (C) Private sector technology firms. (D) Civil society, with respect to expertise in the impact of immersive technology on consumers. (E) Any other sector as the Secretary, in consultation with the appropriate committees of Congress, determines appropriate. (d) Objectives The Advisory Panel shall— (1) assess the economic impact of immersive technology; and (2) make recommendations on— (A) the manner by which immersive technology can be used to ensure the economic competitiveness of the United States; (B) institutional processes that promote collaboration between the Federal Government and the private sector on matters relating to immersive technology, including— (i) technical standards; (ii) strategic investments; (iii) cybersecurity; and (iv) commercialization; (C) safeguards that are necessary to ensure that immersive technology is used ethically to protect individual data and privacy; and (D) the manner by which the Federal Government can provide global leadership in immersive technology and collaborate with allied nations. (e) Meetings The Advisory Panel shall meet not less frequently than once every 4 months. (f) Administrative and technical support The Secretary shall provide to the Advisory Panel administrative and technical support. 6. Study and report on immersive technology (a) Study (1) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Advisory Panel shall complete a study on the state of the immersive technology industry and the effect of such industry on the economic competitiveness and national security of the United States. (2) Requirements In conducting the study required by paragraph (1), the Advisory Panel shall— (A) assess the role of immersive technology in the broader emerging technology ecosystem and the manner in which the United States can make strategic investments that support the key technology focus areas identified in section 10387(c) of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act ( 42 U.S.C. 19107(c) ); (B) examine the economic impact of the use of immersive technology across key sectors, including manufacturing, energy, public safety, health care, urban planning, construction, automotive, agriculture, workforce development, retail, education, and entertainment; (C) assess the ways in which immersive technology benefits businesses (including small- and medium-sized businesses), including— (i) by facilitating the delivery of essential human services; and (ii) by supporting workforce development in critical sectors; (D) determine the investment and personnel needed for the timely and successful deployment of immersive technology that ensures the global leadership of the United States; (E) identify any voluntary standard or best practice needed to ensure that immersive technology is designed, developed, and deployed in a manner that— (i) facilitates ease of use; and (ii) protects individual rights, including with respect to— (I) privacy; (II) accessibility; (III) digital identity; and (IV) intellectual property; (F) assess the national and economic security benefits and risks associated with immersive technology and the ways in which the benefits can be maximized and the risks mitigated; and (G) address the objectives described in section 5(d). (b) Report (1) In general Not later than 90 days after the date on which the study is completed under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on— (A) the findings of the study; and (B) recommendations based on the findings of the study for congressional action. (2) Publication The Secretary shall publish the report required by paragraph (1) on a publicly accessible website of the White House.