The TEST AI Act of 2024 directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Department of Energy to jointly launch a pilot program, within one year of enactment, to build testbeds—physical and virtual environments—for developing, testing, and "red-teaming" and "blue-teaming" artificial intelligence systems. These testbeds will focus mainly on AI systems used or being considered for use by federal agencies, with special attention to identifying cybersecurity and safety vulnerabilities that could threaten critical infrastructure or national security, including risks related to weapons of mass destruction. The two agencies must sign a formal agreement to share Department of Energy resources, personnel, and facilities, including classified testbeds where necessary, and must develop performance metrics and report evaluation results to Congress annually starting three years in; the program automatically ends seven years after enactment. The bill also adds new national security screening requirements for foreign nationals from countries identified as security threats who seek access to Department of Energy National Laboratories, requiring risk assessments, mitigation advice, and quarterly reports to Congress on such access. Overall, the legislation primarily affects federal agencies developing or evaluating AI, National Laboratories, and research institutions and companies partnering with them, aiming to strengthen safe and secure AI adoption across government.
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