The Responsible Artificial Intelligence Defense Act would require the Pentagon to verify higher-risk AI systems before deployment and keep human judgment over the use of force.

A group of Senate Democrats introduced legislation to establish new rules governing how the Department of Defense (DoD) develops, tests, and deploys AI systems, including autonomous weapons.

The Responsible Artificial Intelligence Defense Act of 2026 (S. 4707), introduced by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.), would require the Pentagon to classify military AI systems according to risk and subject higher-risk systems to additional review before they can be developed or fielded.

A central provision of the bill would prohibit the use of AI to make nuclear launch decisions. The legislation would also require the Department of Defense to maintain appropriate human judgment over decisions involving the use of lethal force by autonomous weapons systems.

Further, under the Responsible AI Defense Act, the Pentagon would be required to determine whether high-risk AI systems perform as intended, comply with applicable laws and policies, and can operate reliably in realistic conditions, including against adaptive adversaries.

Military AI systems would also be subject to legal reviews, cybersecurity evaluations, and privacy assessments. The DoD would document those reviews and maintain records throughout a system’s lifecycle.

The bill would place additional limits on the use of AI for intelligence and targeting activities. Among other provisions, it would restrict the use of autonomous systems to track or target individuals believed to be located within the United States unless otherwise authorized by law.

The legislation would also establish a working group within the DoD focused on military AI governance and require annual reports to Congress on implementation, compliance, and risk management activities through 2037.

If enacted, the bill would apply across the DoD and create a formal process for reviewing, testing, and overseeing higher-risk military AI systems before deployment.

The bill was introduced in the Senate and referred to committee for consideration.