While technology policy is not one of the main drivers of getting voters to the polls in the upcoming presidential election, the speed at which technology is developing will undoubtedly impact the way everyday Americans communicate, work, and interact with the world over the next four years. will have an impact on you.
A Pew Research Center poll last month found that a majority of both Republicans and Democrats are concerned about the role of artificial intelligence in elections. Those surveyed are concerned that AI is being used to influence elections, and a poll earlier this year found that people are concerned about the influence of social media and big tech companies on their lives. It is shown that he is wary of the amount of power he has.
Although several bills have been introduced in Congress to regulate new technologies, no federal law regulating artificial intelligence or data privacy has yet been passed. In October 2023, President Joe Biden signed an executive order requiring federal agencies to study the impact of AI and report on how they would address the problem.
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Although technology issues are not central to their platform, candidates Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have expressed some of their views on the role technology plays in American life. are.
Harris’ policies tend to focus on inclusivity, data protection, net neutrality and expanding broadband access. One of the biggest gains for the technology and science community under the Biden-Harris administration is the CHIPS and Science Act, which will fund foundational environmental projects, clean energy, and American semiconductor manufacturing research and development in 2022. . of most electronic devices.
President Trump’s policies are likely to roll back some consumer protections introduced by the Biden administration and programs such as the Electric Vehicle Challenge. His platform has also been accused of “unlawful censorship” by Big Tech companies, particularly Company X (formerly Twitter), which banned candidates for “risk of further incitement of violence” after the January 6, 2021 attacks. He focuses on what he thinks. At the Capitol.
Harris’ policies focus on finding a balance between innovation and overreach by big tech companies, while Trump’s policies focus on a more free-market approach.
However, when it comes to the topic of AI and cryptocurrencies, Harris and Trump take somewhat similar approaches. At a fundraiser at Cipriani Wall Street earlier this week, Harris spoke about the importance of these evolving technologies in today’s economy, while also recognizing the need for oversight.
“Together, we will invest in America’s competitiveness and America’s future,” Harris said. “We will encourage innovative technologies such as AI and digital assets while protecting consumers and investors.”
This is a change from the current administration, which is more focused on protecting consumers in an evolving marketplace than on growing the industry. President Trump similarly took a lighter stance on AI and cryptocurrencies, saying the industry needs time to figure itself out and does not support increased scrutiny at this time.
On antitrust issues, the Harris administration is likely to continue pursuing enforcement efforts against major platforms and Big Tech companies stemming from the Biden administration. In 2021, he signed an executive order against companies that use proprietary technology to collect personal data, and the Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Facebook parent Meta and Amazon.
The Trump administration also filed several antitrust lawsuits against Google and Meta in its final days in office. He has long been vocal about his distrust and dislike of major social media platforms, claiming they are biased.
Most Americans support stronger regulation of technology than currently exists. But they likely don’t care much about the nitty-gritty details that keep the bill stuck in Congress, said Ryan Waite, vice president of communications at digital advocacy firm Think Big.
Waite has been active in and around politics for the past 20 years, and believes that emerging technologies and AI will have as much impact on the future internet landscape as the internet itself was introduced into everyday life 30 years ago. said.
He added pending or potential AI legislation to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which promoted competition and reduced regulation to lower costs for consumers amid the explosion of new broadcast and internet technologies. I compared it to
“If you talked to the average American back then, I don’t think they knew what the Internet was. They probably had some experience with it at some level, but they probably didn’t know how it would be legislated. I wouldn’t have worried too much about that,” Waite said.
But the bill revamped the industry’s communications and telecommunications framework, changing the way we work and receive information, Waite said. In the same concept, AI and other emerging technologies are being adopted at such high rates that “we’re really at a seismic moment,” Waite said.
Waite said both sides aim to strengthen the U.S.’s position in the technology industry and global markets, but their approaches are different. Discussions around legislation usually come down to trying to find appropriate and timely laws to regulate these new technologies without stifling innovation and growth.
Waite said Harris’ campaign approach is seen as “inclusive” on these issues, with the goal of providing broadband access everywhere and targeting small businesses and underserved communities. The focus is on making these tools accessible to the community.
“They’re very interested in an equity framework where they can say everyone should have access to these tools,” Waite said.
President Trump has tended to lean toward allowing companies to innovate and do what they do best, believing that time will solve these technology problems. These policies typically prioritize economic impact over technology protection.
Most Americans probably support some intermediate legislation that would allow U.S. companies to become world leaders while protecting data and bias from rapidly growing technologies. He said:
Ultimately, for most Americans, Waite said, technology issues are not as partisan as the two-party system dictates.
“Voters may not necessarily know the details of the law,” Waite said. “But they are focused on ensuring reliable broadband access, keeping children safe online, and ensuring innovation advances to stay ahead of global competition.”
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