February 3, 2026
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The Senate passed AI Cloud Labs Act February 2, 2026 by vote of 64-33 authorizing $6 billion over five years. The legislation establishes ten regional AI cloud laboratories at national laboratories and universities to advance American AI research and development.
Bill establishes ten regional AI cloud laboratories at national laboratories and universities. The facilities will provide compute resources for AI research, development, and training to academic institutions and private sector partners through shared access programs.
Forty percent of compute hours reserved for small businesses, HBCUs, and economic development entities. The allocation ensures that smaller organizations and minority-owned businesses have access to AI resources that would otherwise be unavailable to them.
Sens. Maria Cantwell and Sen. 
John Thune led bipartisan effort emphasizing public-private collaboration. The Washington Democrat and South Dakota Republican highlighted the importance of U.S. competitiveness against China in AI development and AI research.
The bill includes enhanced IP protections for U.S. companies operating in India. The trade deal component complemented the AI Cloud Labs initiative, creating comprehensive protection for both government and private sector AI development.
The AI Cloud Labs Act faces some opposition from Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) criticized bill provisions requiring sharing AI model research outputs. The senator argued that sharing research outputs could compromise intellectual property and competitive advantages.
The proposal came amid broader U.S. efforts to counter Chinese AI dominance. The AI Cloud Labs Act represents a strategic investment in American AI infrastructure to maintain technological leadership and counter China growing AI capabilities.
The bill requires quarterly transparency reports on algorithm use, data sharing, and political advertising. These requirements aim to prevent algorithmic bias and ensure public trust in AI systems used in government and public services.
The legislation includes provisions for technology transfer and joint research partnerships. The bill encourages collaboration between academic institutions, private companies, and government agencies to accelerate AI innovation and development across sectors.
People, bills, and sources
Maria Cantwell
Senator (D-WA)
John Thune
Senator (R-SD)
Josh Hawley
Senator (R-MO)
Amy Klobuchar
Senator (D-MN)
National Science Foundation
Research organization
Association of American Universities
Higher education organization
What you can do
1
civic action
Support STEM education organizations providing AI access
Donate to or volunteer with organizations that provide AI education access to underrepresented groups. These groups work to ensure diverse participation in AI development and prevent technological disparities between different demographic groups.
info@ai4all.org
My name is [Name] and I am calling to support AI4ALL work providing AI education access. With the AI Cloud Labs Act, I want to help fund AI education for underrepresented groups and ensure diverse participation in AI development.
2
civic action
Contact your representatives about AI research funding and education access
Urge your representatives to support AI Cloud Labs Act funding with proper oversight and equitable access requirements. Ask them to ensure that AI research benefits all Americans, not just large corporations or elite institutions.
find your representative at congress.gov
My name is [Name] and I am calling about the AI Cloud Labs Act. I urge the representative to support funding with proper oversight and equitable access requirements to ensure AI benefits all Americans.
3
understanding
Learn about AI research and development opportunities
Study AI research trends and career opportunities in AI development. Understanding these trends helps you advocate for equitable AI education and diverse participation in emerging technological fields.
info@aicareercenter.org
I am calling to learn about AI research and development opportunities. With the AI Cloud Labs Act, I want to understand emerging opportunities and career paths in AI development.