I Wouldn't Trust Them To 'Successfully Operate An IPhone': Lawmakers Scoff At Biden Or Harris Leading On AI Issues

Early this week President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris held a meeting with several tech executives to examine the possible benefits and pitfalls of artificial intelligence. In the wake of the meeting, several members of Congress have expressed their concern about either Biden or Harris leading U.S. government efforts toward developing and regulating AI.

Even Twitter owner Elon Musk weighed in, suggesting instead "Maybe someone who can fix their own WiFi router."

According to Fox News, Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) opined, "I don't have a whole lot of faith in either President Biden or Vice President Harris, but I think we need to have industry experts in the room, folks that understand the technology behind AI. That can help both the legislative and the executive branch work through what are the practical problems with AI."

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Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL) had a humorous take but also offered a constructive suggestion. "I wouldn't trust Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to be able to successfully operate an iPhone, much less be a key focal point of AI policy," he added. "That said, there are some leading minds in the Democratic Party here on the Hill who I think are evaluating these issues with great thoughtfulness: Ted Lieu, Ro Khanna."

Responding to criticism that he would only accept legendary cold-war-era computer scientist John von Neumann, Musk responded, "Von Neumann … would obviously be a bridge too far, but maybe someone who can fix their own wifi router wouldn’t be too much to ask."

Von Neumann … would obviously be a bridge too far, but maybe someone who can fix their own wifi router wouldn’t be too much to ask

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 7, 2023

Fox News reported that another user suggested the administration select "a council of experts recognized in the field," akin to Rep. Nathanial Moran's recommendation or Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), who said, "Maybe it's a commission that studies it."

Musk agreed, "Yeah, like @geoffreyhinton, for example," suggesting a British computer scientist known to be an authority on AI. "I talked to him earlier this week. He just wants to Netflix & chill."

During the meeting with industry leaders Harris said, "Government, private companies and others in society must tackle these challenges together. President Biden and I are committed to doing our part – including by advancing potential new regulations and supporting new legislation – so that everyone can safely benefit from technological innovations," she stressed that the private sector has an "ethical, moral and legal responsibility to ensure the safety and security of their products."