America votes: Digital Policy in the Age of AI

From sustainability in the tech industry to the growing threat of disinformation, the issue of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a core topic for governments worldwide and already plays a crucial a role in the US elections this November. With the help of automated bots and algorithms, AI can deliberately spread misinformation and influence voters. This is also the first presidential election since the introduction of AI products like ChatGPT in 2022, a powerful technology that gives anyone the tools to create and distribute misleading content.
However, the election is not just about choosing the next president; it will also shape the future of digital policy in the U.S. This includes sustainability in the tech sector, which is central to AI considering the enormous computing power required for this technology. Moreover, the personal connections of both candidates to the tech industry could significantly impact these policies: Harris began her political career near Silicon Valley, while Trump strategically chose JD Vance as his running mate, who has close ties to tech mogul Peter Thiel and engages voters with divisive online rhetoric.
How are the two candidates framing issues surrounding digital policy, and what can we expect from the next president on this increasingly important topic? Will there be new opportunities for transatlantic cooperation on digital policy after the 2024 elections, or will there be new conflicts?
Dr. Darrell West, a leading expert on issues surrounding technology, its regulation, and how it relates to the future of work, did provide insight and analysis.
Moderation: Drew Mitnick, Heinrich Böll Foundation Washington DC.
Darrell M. West (he/him) is a Senior Fellow of Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution. He holds the Douglas Dillon Chair in Governance Studies. Previously, he was the John Hazen White Professor of Political Science and Public Policy and Director of the Taubman Center for Public Policy at Brown University. His current research focuses on media, artificial intelligence, and democracy. He is the winner of the American Political Science Association’s Don K. Price award for best book on technology (for Digital Government) and the American Political Science Association’s Doris Graber award for best book on political communications (for Cross Talk). His books have been translated into Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, and he has delivered lectures in numerous countries around the world.
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