Mary Peltola on Technology

AI should be regulated; it can impact jobs, energy costs

Peltola: Innovation can never be at the expense of our hard working Alaskan families. I get the anxiety that families have about how AI can impact our jobs and raise our energy costs. AI should be regulated. This is one of the most concerning issues that parents face. I mean, we don't even have our arms around social media.

Sullivan: I just want to make that record clear on AI. We just voted on the Senate floor for the AI Responsibility Act. And all the Democrats in the Senate voted against it. It would make sure that data centers pay their own way. It is a good beginning, important regulation. I led the efforts on it. We voted on it, and unfortunately, it was blocked by Democrats in the Senate. [Democrats claimed it was a "toothless messaging bill" that required only "considering" standards].

Social media platforms have been damaging to young people

Peltola: We call it social media, but it is not social. It really drives people into spending more time alone, more solitary time. I think we know the damaging effect that all the social media platforms have on young people. I think that having teen accounts, having parental permission is a good start, but these social media companies, they know that they've been injurious to our young people. They have not been good partners.

Sullivan: I'm an original co-sponsor of the Kids Online Safety Act, big tech hates it, came out of committee strongly. They killed it in the House a couple of years ago. But it's giving parents tools on how to best address online safety. And it does provide significant responsibilities on the big tech companies themselves.