Kamala Harris: Leading the Charge in AI Regulation and Safety

Kamala Harris: A Pioneering Force in Artificial Intelligence Regulation

Over the past three years, Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged as a prominent figure within the White House, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence (A.I.), a technology that is rapidly evolving and transforming various sectors. In her capacity as the A.I. czar, she has taken significant steps to engage with leading tech giants by convening the heads of OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, and Anthropic at the White House. These discussions led to the establishment of voluntary safety standards aimed at ensuring responsible development and deployment of A.I. technologies.

In addition, Vice President Harris spearheaded a White House executive order that outlines how the federal government will approach the use and development of A.I., setting a precedent for governance in this critical area. She has also actively advocated for Congressional action to introduce regulations that would safeguard individuals from potential job displacement and other adverse impacts of A.I. technology. Despite her efforts, tangible legislative progress has been limited, and the companies involved have encountered minimal regulatory hurdles thus far.

In a speech delivered in November, Ms. Harris emphasized a balanced approach to innovation and public safety, stating, “We reject the false choice that suggests we can either protect the public or advance innovation. We can and we must do both.” This call for comprehensive global regulation highlights her commitment to holding companies accountable while fostering a conducive environment for technological advancement.

As the presumptive presidential nominee for the Democratic Party, a victory for Ms. Harris could pave the way for a relatively unobstructed path for A.I. companies, who have thus far benefitted from a landscape with minimal U.S. regulation and the opportunity to influence both White House and Congressional perspectives on the technology.

Notably, Ms. Harris has a history of advocating for stricter regulations on Big Tech. During her tenure as the former district attorney of San Francisco and later as the attorney general of California, she championed legislation to combat cyberbullying and enhance online privacy protections for children. Furthermore, she took significant steps to curb the dissemination of intimate images shared without consent across major tech platforms.

Alondra Nelson, a former director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, remarked, “She brings a very kind of lawyerly, thoughtful mindset about considering all sides of the issue.” This insight reflects Ms. Harris’s comprehensive approach to A.I. regulation, demonstrating her commitment to both ethical considerations and technological progress.