Artificial Intelligence Policies
Artificial Intelligence Policies
In anticipation of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Winston has developed this resource guide on the presidential candidates’ policy positions related to artificial intelligence. We asked ChatGPT and our attorneys for their insights.
Visit our 2024 U.S. Presidential Candidates Policy Overview for additional insights on government contracts, national security, energy, environmental, and health care.
Disclaimer: This page is strictly dedicated to providing public information on the candidates’ policy positions and in no way indicates an affiliation with any political party or candidate.
Joe Biden
Ask ChatGPT
We asked ChatGPT what it believed Joe Biden’s AI policy would be if he is re-elected, and this was ChatGPT’s response:
While I can’t predict future policies, I can share insights into areas that have been focal points for AI policy discussions and that might continue to be relevant if Joe Biden were to be re-elected. These insights are based on trends and priorities seen in his first term and general directions in AI policy worldwide.
- Regulation and Oversight: Emphasizing the development of regulatory frameworks that ensure AI technologies are used ethically and responsibly. This could include measures to prevent bias, protect privacy, and ensure transparency in AI applications.
- Research and Development (R&D): Continuing to invest in AI research and development to maintain competitiveness and innovation. This might involve increased funding for government agencies, universities, and partnerships with the private sector.
- National Security: Utilizing AI to enhance national security measures while also addressing the ethical concerns related to surveillance and autonomous weapons systems.
- Workforce and Education: Addressing the impact of AI on the workforce, including reskilling and upskilling programs to prepare workers for AI-driven changes in various industries. This could also involve education initiatives to promote STEM fields and AI literacy.
- International Cooperation: Promoting international collaboration on AI governance to establish global norms and standards. This may include working with allies and international organizations to ensure a balanced approach to AI development and use.
- Equity and Inclusion: Ensuring that AI development and deployment advance equity and inclusion, including efforts to mitigate biases in AI algorithms and promote diversity within the AI workforce.
Ask Winston
From our research, we found that, at present, President Joe Biden’s policy on Artificial Intelligence (AI) is outlined in his Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence issued on October 30, 2023. Some of the key AI policy objectives outlined in the Executive Order are:
If elected for a second term, Joe Biden is expected to continue to advance the policy objectives captured by the Executive Order. In addition to the policies articulated in the Executive Order, President Biden’s key Artificial Intelligence policy objectives for a second Biden Administration also include:
1. Balancing the Risks and Potential Associated with AI
- During his State of the Union address delivered on March 7, 2024 in Washington D.C., Biden stated that he wanted to “harness the promise of AI to protect us from peril.” Biden also stated that he would “ban AI voice impersonations and more.”
- Biden’s State of the Union address echo much of the policy points set forth in the October 2023 Executive Order. Namely, a desire to strike a balance between the potential benefits unlocked by AI technology and the risks that it poses to the American public.
2. Working Together with Private Companies
- The Biden Administration has engaged technology leaders on the subject of AI. Biden wants to maintain a running dialogue with private companies in the Ai space, including seeking out commitment from private companies to address the possible risks stemming from AI.
Donald Trump
Ask ChatGPT
We asked ChatGPT what it believed Donald Trump’s AI policy would be if he is elected, and this was ChatGPT’s response:
Reflecting on Donald Trump's previous term and considering the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), it's possible to speculate on what his AI policy priorities might be if he were elected again. These speculations would be based on his administration's past actions and general policy trends within the sphere of technology and innovation. Here are several areas that might be emphasized:
- Economic Competitiveness and Innovation: Prioritizing AI development to maintain and enhance U.S. economic competitiveness, particularly against key rivals like China. This could involve supporting AI research and development in the private sector and streamlining regulations to facilitate faster innovation.
- National Security: Emphasizing the role of AI in national defense and security, including investing in AI technologies to ensure military superiority and protect against cybersecurity threats.
- Regulatory Environment: Focusing on a deregulatory approach to foster the growth of AI technologies and businesses, potentially reducing barriers to innovation and encouraging the private sector to lead in AI development.
- Workforce Development: Initiating programs to prepare the American workforce for the jobs of the future, which may include re-skilling and up-skilling efforts to mitigate the impact of AI and automation on employment.
- International Leadership: Seeking to assert and maintain U.S. leadership in global discussions on AI, possibly through bilateral and multilateral partnerships, while promoting American AI technologies abroad.
- Privacy and Data Security: Balancing the advancement of AI technologies with concerns over data privacy and security, potentially through policies that protect citizens' data without overly hindering technological progress.
Ask Winston
From our research, we found that former President Donald Trump’s campaign has not released an official statement on AI. The following is an overview of statements made to date.
Trump’s AI Policies from 2016 to 2020
In February 2019, Trump signed an Executive Order titled the “American AI Initiative,” which called on federal agencies to shift funding toward AI projects. One of the stated objectives of the policy was to ensure that America remained a leader in AI technology. Other stated goals of the Executive Order included establishing guidelines for regulation, education development and workforce training, and maintaining a competitive edge against competing countries.
Donald Trump’s Artificial Intelligence policy objectives for a second Trump Administration include:
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Ask ChatGPT
We asked ChatGPT what it believed Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s AI policy would be if he is elected, and this was ChatGPT’s response:
Predicting the AI policy stance of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., should he be elected, involves speculating based on his public statements, political affiliations, and advocacy work, especially considering his focus on environmental issues and skepticism towards certain technological and pharmaceutical interventions. Given this context, his AI policy might emphasize the following aspects:
- Environmental Sustainability: Prioritizing the development and deployment of AI technologies that support environmental conservation and sustainability. This could involve leveraging AI to combat climate change, enhance renewable energy systems, and monitor environmental degradation.
- Public Health and Safety: Given his involvement in public health advocacy, Kennedy might focus on how AI can be utilized to improve healthcare outcomes, while also ensuring that such technologies do not compromise individual rights or safety. This could involve strict regulation of AI in healthcare to prevent biases and ensure data privacy.
- Ethical Standards and Transparency: Advocating for stringent ethical standards and transparency in AI development and deployment, particularly in areas that could have significant societal impacts. This may include initiatives to make AI algorithms more understandable and accountable to the public.
- Technology and Democracy: Expressing concern about the impact of AI and technology on democratic processes and social cohesion. Policies might aim to address issues like misinformation, surveillance, and the digital divide, ensuring that AI technologies support rather than undermine democratic values.
- Regulation and Oversight: Favoring strong regulatory oversight of AI technologies, especially those that pose risks to privacy, human rights, or the environment. This could involve both national legislation and international cooperation to manage the global implications of AI.
- Innovation with Caution: While not anti-innovation, Kennedy's approach might stress the need for cautious and responsible innovation in AI, ensuring that technological advancements align with public interest and ethical principles.
Ask Winston
In our research, we found that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has not released official Artificial Intelligence policy objectives for a Kennedy Jr. Administration.
While Kennedy has utilized AI in his campaign-- experimenting with an AI chatbot that, according to the press, “used an apparent loophole to get around OpenAI’s restrictions on political use”—he has not made Artificial Intelligence a focus of his bid for presidency.
In recognition of the growing prevalence of AI technology, on the campaign trail in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on February 10, 2024, Kennedy stated that the “AI revolution and technological revolution” were in part to blame for the struggles of young people in the United States, but did not elaborate on the role of either AI or technology more generally.
In general, Kennedy has staked part of his campaign on honest government and free speech as well as issues with truth and media. It is possible that these overarching prioritizes would translate to Kennedy’s AI policy as well. For example, targeting AI-generated media and the role that AI plays in in censorship (e.g., on social media platforms).
Jill Stein
Ask ChatGPT
We asked ChatGPT what it believed Jill Stein’s AI policy would be if she is elected, and this was ChatGPT’s response:
Given Jill Stein’s background as the Green Party’s presidential candidate and her focus on environmental sustainability, social justice, and grassroots activism, her AI policy if elected might reflect a strong emphasis on ethical considerations, public welfare, and the environment. While speculative, such a policy framework could potentially include:
- Sustainable Development: A focus on leveraging AI to promote sustainable development goals, including environmental protection, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture. Policies might encourage the development of AI technologies that help reduce carbon emissions and promote biodiversity.
- Social and Economic Equity: Policies aimed at ensuring AI contributes to social and economic equity, possibly including measures to prevent job displacement without adequate social safety nets, and efforts to address the digital divide, ensuring equitable access to AI technologies and benefits.
- Regulatory Oversight: A strong regulatory framework for AI to ensure transparency, accountability, and the protection of privacy and civil liberties. This might include specific regulations to prevent biases in AI algorithms and ensure that AI technologies do not infringe on individual rights.
- Public Participation: Emphasizing the importance of public participation in AI governance, including mechanisms for public input and discussion on the ethical implications of AI technologies. Policies might support initiatives to educate the public on AI and its societal impacts.
- International Collaboration: Advocacy for international collaboration on AI policies, focusing on creating global standards for ethical AI development and deployment, and addressing global challenges such as climate change and inequality.
- Research and Innovation: Supporting research and innovation in AI that aligns with public interest and welfare, with a focus on open-source technologies and collaborative projects that advance social and environmental goals.
Ask Winston
In our research, we found that Jill Stein has not articulated any official Artificial Intelligence policy objectives for a Stein Administration.