Kamala Harris’s stance on AI, Big Tech, and regulation raises questions about the future of technology under her potential administration. Discover her plans and implications for the tech industry.
As the 2024 US presidential race heats up, Kamala Harris, the Democratic party’s presumptive nominee, is poised to bring her long-standing tech alliances to the forefront. With President Joe Biden stepping down, Harris’s tech-savvy background and her previous engagements with industry giants make her a significant figure in shaping the future of technology.
A History of Tech Advocacy
Kamala Harris’s relationship with the tech industry dates back to her tenure as San Francisco’s district attorney from 2004 to 2010. As the first woman and the first Black and South Asian American woman in this role, she developed connections with influential tech figures. During her 2020 presidential campaign, her donors included Microsoft president Brad Smith, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, and Amazon general counsel David Zapolsky.
When Biden endorsed Harris for this year’s presidential bid, she quickly garnered support from tech leaders like LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, raising over $50 million within 24 hours of Biden’s announcement.
Harris’s Stance on AI and Big Tech Regulation
Appointed by Biden as the “AI czar,” Harris has been a vocal advocate for stringent AI regulations. She met with founders and CEOs of major tech companies, including OpenAI, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Anthropic, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing safety over profit.
“In the absence of regulation and strong government oversight, some technology companies choose to prioritize profit over the well-being of their customers, the safety of our communities, and the stability of our democracies,” Harris stated at the Global Summit on AI Safety in London last year.
Tech analyst Paolo Pescatore believes Harris will likely align closely with Biden’s current approach to tech regulation, potentially making only minor adjustments. “While regulation is not a sexy topic, technology has and continues to be under the spotlight with the ongoing geopolitical tensions not helping either,” Pescatore said.
Harris’s Track Record in the Senate
As a senator, Harris was known for her firm stance on holding tech companies accountable, particularly regarding online sexual harassment and data privacy issues. She questioned Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg during the Cambridge Analytica scandal and has consistently advocated for ethical standards in tech.
Political Polarization and Tech Industry Support
While Harris enjoys strong backing from tech leaders, her opponent, Donald Trump, has also garnered support from tech titans like Elon Musk and venture capitalists such as the Winklevoss twins. Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance, a former venture capitalist, has further cemented their appeal to the tech and crypto sectors.
Carlo Tortora Brayda, founder of the Tortora Brayda Institute, commented on the political polarization within the tech industry. “I do not see a sway, rather, I see this political polarization as a cultural thing that runs through the generations; you could call it tribal. People support the politics of their tribe, rather than focusing on the policies of candidates and making a decision that way,” he said.
The Future of Tech Under Harris
Despite the political divide, experts believe that either candidate would have the tech industry’s interests at heart, albeit in different ways. Harris’s potential administration could build on Biden’s work, with a focus on STEM education, ethical standards, and diversity, equity, and inclusion in tech.
“Harris is a great candidate as she could build on Biden’s work and is in a strong position as she is from Silicon Valley,” Tortora Brayda said. Conversely, Trump is favored by business leaders who prefer tax cuts and deregulation, although his presidency could unpredictably disrupt geopolitical stability.
In the coming months, the tech industry will closely watch how both candidates shape their policies and the potential impact on technology and innovation in the United States.
