WASHINGTON, D.C. – The debate over AI oversight has reached a boiling point in Congress, with lawmakers expressing doubts about President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’s ability to handle this crucial task.
Prominent Republican voices, such as Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz and Wisconsin Rep. Mike Gallagher, are skeptical about Biden and Harris’s competency when it comes to the complexities of AI policy. Gaetz went as far as saying, “I wouldn’t trust Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to be able to successfully operate an iPhone, much less be a key focal point of AI policy.” Instead, Gaetz mentioned Democratic representatives Ted Lieu and Ro Khanna as leading thinkers on the subject.
While Biden and Harris recently met with tech executives to discuss the potential risks and opportunities associated with AI, many lawmakers believe that the decision-making power should lie elsewhere. Gallagher asserted that neither the president nor the vice president should be in charge of AI, given its intricacies.
The Biden administration has unveiled new initiatives aimed at enhancing AI research and development, exploring its impact on education, and soliciting public input to ensure “equity.” However, the question of who should spearhead these efforts remains a contentious issue.
Democratic Rep. Frederica Wilson argued that Biden and Harris should lead the White House’s AI initiatives as a team, claiming that no one currently possesses a comprehensive understanding of the subject. On the other hand, Rep. Tim Burchett, a Republican from Tennessee, disagreed, stating, “We need to address it, but those two are not the ones.” Burchett emphasized that government intervention would only exacerbate the situation, asserting that the market should drive AI development.
Fox News interviewed various D.C. residents who shared similar concerns about Harris’s ability to effectively handle AI matters. Some lawmakers suggested the formation of a commission comprising AI experts to guide the White House’s initiatives. Republican Rep. Nathaniel Moran argued that involving industry professionals who possess a deep understanding of AI technology would be instrumental in addressing practical challenges.
Rep. Dan Crenshaw, a Texas Republican, expressed doubt that Biden or Harris could truly make meaningful contributions in the field of AI. He suggested the establishment of a commission dedicated to studying and understanding AI.
The debate surrounding AI oversight is far from settled. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle recognize the need for regulation, but they remain divided on who should lead the charge. As discussions continue, the future of AI policy in the Biden administration hangs in the balance.
Source Fox News
