Democrats think cracking down on AI could give them an edge
Democrats could win back control of Congress this November, and if they do, they'll need to decide how to approach one of the country's newest and thorniest political issues: AI. Polls predict Democrats will flip at least one chamber of Congress in the midterm elections, which would put committee leadership back in their hands. That […]
As voters grapple with concerns about artificial intelligence (AI), Democrats are seizing the opportunity to shape the conversation around the technology. Polls indicate that Democrats may gain control of at least one chamber of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections. With committee leadership in their hands, Democrats could scrutinize AI companies, including demanding documents and testifying to CEOs.
Democrats are already capitalizing on the issue, with campaign ads highlighting fears of AI's impact on jobs, education, and daily life. Jesse Lehrich, a Democratic strategist, emphasizes that the question of how to address AI is open for Democrats to seize. However, AI encompasses a wide range of issues, from monitoring frontier models to the energy demands of data centers.
While some Democrats remain hesitant, others have taken firmer stances. California's Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order aimed at creating an AI "kill switch," and Pennsylvania's Governor Josh Shapiro reversed his position on data centers. Some Republicans, like Florida's Ron DeSantis and Missouri's Josh Hawley, have also shown a more skeptical approach to AI.
Democrats see an opportunity to capitalize on the negative sentiment towards AI, particularly following President Trump's largely anti-regulation stance. A potential AI regulatory agenda could include independent researchers in frontier labs, more safety checks, and liability for tech companies related to job displacement and discrimination. As AI becomes more salient for voters, Democrats are well-positioned to shape the narrative and capitalize on the negative sentiment towards the technology.
Written by urgent.news from The Verge's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
