A powerful Cold War-era law is set to expire in December. This tool could help President Trump control dangerous artificial intelligence. It is called the Defense Production Act. Congress passed it in 1950 for the Korean War. It lets the government command industry during emergencies. Now experts say it could tame risky AI systems. The law gives the executive branch serious leverage. It can prioritize contracts and manage cyber threats. But this power has a strict deadline. Most of its authority expires on December 11, 2026. This creates a ticking clock for lawmakers. A reauthorization fight is coming later this year. This happens right before next year's midterm elections. The political landscape could shift dramatically then.
AI leaders have recently sounded alarms. They warn that models are getting too powerful too fast. They want to slow development for safety. Trump says the government already has strong power. He rejects calls for new regulatory guardrails. He relies on existing criminal and regulatory tools. The Defense Production Act is key here. It allows the government to demand information. James Lewis from the Center for Strategic and International Studies notes the laws are a bit vague. But he says they can still work. You can cobble together a solution with current laws. The threat from AI cyberattacks is real. Finding vulnerabilities now takes hours instead of months. AI helps attackers chain weaknesses together. This changes the security landscape completely.
The first step is knowing what companies build. The act forces firms to report their activities. James E. Baker, a former judge, supports this approach. He says you must know what is happening first. Then you can decide on policy or legal action. You cannot argue against knowing the facts. This transparency is the foundation of safety. Paul Rosenzweig, a former DHS official, adds nuance. He says the act is not about stopping production. It is about securing goods for defense. It gives the government a handle on sensitive products. Frontier AI fits this description reasonably well. This access to data is the best part. It lets Washington see inside the black box.
Other tools exist alongside this act. Export controls can keep tech away from enemies. Contracting rules can pressure companies seeking federal business. Criminal laws apply when AI causes harm. An executive order in June directed agencies to set benchmarks. It asks developers to share access voluntarily. It stops short of mandatory licensing. Trump wants military AI to remain controllable. He also wants to expand its use for national security. The goal is control without stifling innovation. The Defense Production Act offers a path forward. It provides a legal basis for oversight. But only if Congress renews it in time. The window for action is closing fast. The expiration date is clear and fixed. Readers should watch the legislative vote closely.