Trump and Harris Diverge on AI Policy in Presidential Race

As the 2024 presidential race intensifies, AI policy has emerged as a critical point of contention between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Their contrasting approaches reflect broader differences in their visions for America’s technological future.

Trump’s AI Policy: Prioritizing Deregulation

Former President Donald Trump has made clear his intention to overturn President Joe Biden’s comprehensive AI executive order, signed last October. According to VOA News, Trump’s campaign platform pledges to repeal what it describes as Biden’s “dangerous” executive order, which it claims hinders AI innovation and imposes “Radical Leftwing ideas.”

Trump’s tenure saw limited focus on AI, but in 2019 he did sign the first executive order on the subject, directing federal agencies to prioritize AI research and development. Initially, the Trump administration appeared unconcerned about AI’s potential to displace jobs, with then-Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin dismissing such concerns as distant. However, the administration’s stance evolved, acknowledging by 2018 that AI-fueled job displacement was “inevitable” and that proactive measures were necessary.

The 2019 executive order emphasized protecting civil liberties, privacy and American values in AI applications, and aimed to equip workers with relevant skills. In the final weeks of his administration, Trump signed another order promoting the use of “trustworthy” AI in the federal government, policies that the Biden administration has continued to some extent.

Harris’ AI Policy: Balancing Safety and Innovation

Vice President Kamala Harris, on the other hand, has been a proactive advocate for comprehensive AI regulation. Her involvement in AI policy was highlighted by her pivotal role in the Biden administration’s AI strategy, including the landmark executive order signed last year. This order employs national security powers to oversee high-risk commercial AI systems, focusing on safeguarding government use and setting standards for commercial adoption, according to VOA News.

Harris’s approach to AI is informed by her deep connections to Silicon Valley and her tenure as California’s attorney general. She has emphasized the need to protect the public from immediate AI-related harms without stifling innovation. This stance was clearly articulated at the Global Summit on AI Safety in London, where Harris highlighted real-world examples of AI’s impact, such as faulty algorithms affecting healthcare and the use of deepfake technology in abuse cases.

Under Harris’s leadership, the Biden administration convened tech industry leaders to agree on voluntary commitments to ensure AI technology does not compromise public safety or rights. Harris has argued against the “false choice” between protecting the public and advancing innovation, emphasizing a comprehensive view of AI risks from both immediate and existential perspectives.

AI in the 2024 Election

The differing AI policies of Trump and Harris underscore a significant divide in their approaches to technology and regulation. Trump’s stance focuses on deregulation and fostering innovation through a laissez-faire approach, while Harris advocates for a balanced strategy that includes stringent safeguards to protect individuals from AI-related harms.

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, the debate over how to manage its development and deployment is likely to play a crucial role in shaping the 2024 presidential campaign.

Source: VOA News