In the same week that tech industry leaders and senators came to a consensus that government should regulate artificial intelligence, a group of lawmakers, staff and advocates leaned into the potential powers of AI to change the legislative branch and how it works.
Rather than something to be feared, AI is a tool that can help streamline constituent services, demystify complex legislation and improve civic discourse, according to a series of ideas presented at the fifth Congressional Hackathon, a meeting of policy wonks and data nerds that unfolded over several hours Thursday in the Capitol Visitor Center auditorium.
“I understand the fear,” said Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who co-hosted the event with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., referring to anxieties around AI. “But I also want to understand the opportunity. And I don’t want to see things only happening in the private sector.”
