New Resolution Calls for US-Led AI Strategy in the Americas to Fight Bias Against Marginalized Groups

This resolution is essentially the U.S. government saying, “We need a plan for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Western Hemisphere, and that plan must put fairness and diversity first.” It’s not a law that changes anything today, but it’s a strong signal about future policy and funding priorities. Specifically, it calls for the United States to champion a regional AI strategy focused on building systems that actively combat biases against marginalized groups and promote social justice, economic well-being, and democratic values across the Americas.

The Problem with Biased Bots

The core finding of this resolution is that if AI systems aren't built carefully, they just amplify existing human biases. They cite research showing that many facial recognition algorithms, for example, work way better on White faces than on brown, Black, Indigenous, and darker-skinned faces. Why? Because the data used to train the AI (the “algorithmic data collection”) didn't include enough diverse faces. For everyday people, this isn't just an academic issue; it means AI used in hiring, lending, or law enforcement could unfairly penalize you simply because of your race or background. This resolution demands that U.S. funding for AI development prioritize algorithms that source data accounting for diversity to include the experiences of underserved populations.

Moving AI Development South

One of the most interesting parts of this resolution is its focus on the Western Hemisphere. The U.S. sees the region, which includes Central and South America, as a prime resource for AI development due to its diverse populations and growing startup ecosystem. The resolution argues that by investing in AI education, training, and infrastructure across these countries—using funds from U.S. economic and international development agencies—we can prevent global AI deployment from being dominated by a select few nations outside the region. Think of it as a strategic move to ensure that the global standards for AI are set by countries committed to democratic values and human rights, not authoritarian practices.

What This Means for Your Data and Rights

While this resolution doesn't immediately create new regulations, it endorses a crucial document: the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights. This blueprint outlines five principles designed to protect civil rights, civil liberties, privacy, and equal opportunities when automated systems are deployed. By making inclusive AI a priority for U.S. domestic and foreign policy, the resolution signals a commitment to creating a domestic and international agreement concerning the design, use, and deployment of automated systems. If this strategy moves forward, it could mean that the algorithms that affect your life—whether deciding your credit score or filtering your job application—will eventually have to meet higher standards for fairness, accountability, and privacy.

The Road Ahead: Good Intentions, Vague Details

This is a feel-good resolution that lays out important ethical markers, which is a big win for marginalized groups often overlooked by early AI development. However, because it’s a resolution and not a law, it lacks the teeth to mandate the specific funding or policy changes it calls for. Furthermore, terms like “social justice” and “democratic values” are broad. While the intent is clear—to combat bias—the actual execution of how the U.S. government will measure and enforce these ethical frameworks across diverse international partners remains vague. Developers and companies whose existing AI models don't prioritize diversity will eventually need to retool their products to align with these emerging standards, which could be costly. Ultimately, this resolution is a blueprint for future action, positioning the U.S. to lead a global effort to build AI that actually works for everyone.