With the rise of artificial intelligence, candidates in the U.S. Senate race in Texas are making technology a key part of their campaigns.
Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico are set to face off in the Nov. 3 General Election for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas and both candidates have staked their claims when it comes to technology and innovation.
For Talarico, that means a comprehensive plan to rein in data centers and social media companies, while also ensuring the right to free speech is not impeded.
"Our government has a role to play in ensuring technology makes our lives easier, safer, and more productive," Talarico wrote on his campaign website. "America should be the world’s innovation leader — but it shouldn’t come at the cost
of our children’s safety, our workers’ livelihoods, or the reliability of the news we consume.
"We too often think about politics as binary choices. When it comes to regulating the tech sector, some say we must choose between innovation and stagnation or free speech and censorship. I reject that false choice."
The following are some of Talarico's priorities related to data centers, artificial intelligence and social media:
- Pass commonsense safeguards to keep kids safe online — like giving parents more control over their children’s social media use and prohibiting platforms from using algorithms to send targeted content to minors; require social media companies to conduct regular impact assessments to check algorithms for bias, fairness, privacy, and security; and rein in broad immunity protections for companies;
- Protect workers from invasive AI surveillance in the workplace; use AI to make jobs safer and less repetitive; create pathways for workers to move into higher-skilled, better-paying roles as the economy evolves; ensure AI companies follow the same copyright laws as everyone else; include worker voices in government-funded AI research and development; and defend the right to transparency and human review for automated decision-making around promotions, discipline, and terminations;
- Guarantee large energy users like data centers fund the infrastructure improvements they need rather than passing those costs on to consumers, and support legislation to study the best ways for America to take advantage of the benefits of AI without disrupting communities;
- Bring digital assets within a clear regulatory structure so crypto companies play by the same rules as everyone else — protecting consumers from fraud while letting legitimate innovation thrive.
"We can defend free speech while holding powerful corporations accountable," Talarico wrote. "We can encourage innovation while setting clear guidelines that protect Americans from harm. We can and must do both."
Paxton focused on crypto growth
Paxton's platform on technology rests largely on his plan to advance cryptocurrency growth and innovation, though his plan provides little in the way of details or policy proposals.
"America must be the crypto capital of the world and support innovation and growth," a blurb on Paxton's campaign website states. "Digital assets are one of the defining frontiers changing the world, and the United States cannot afford to fall behind."
Key to Paxton's plan is the passage of the CLARITY Act, which aims to establish the United States as "the crypto capital of the world by balancing innovation with strong investor protections and tough law enforcement tools," according to a news release from the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.
"Empowering crypto innovators is critical to ensuring America’s long-term competitiveness and leadership," Paxton's website states.
Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Paxton, Talarico split on tech agenda in Texas US Senate race
