Kamala Harris's AI Crackdown: Will Safety Regulations Impact Tech Titans Like Microsoft and Alphabet?

Kamala Harris's AI Crackdown: Will Safety Regulations Impact Tech Titans Like Microsoft and Alphabet?

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Kamala Harris has her sights set on AI – and Big Tech might want to pay attention. As Biden's so-called "AI czar," Harris is already deep into the conversation on regulating artificial intelligence. The question on everyone's mind is: How will her push for safety impact tech giants like Microsoft and Alphabet?

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Harris is no stranger to the tech world. In 2020, she garnered support from major players like Microsoft's Brad Smith and Salesforce's Marc Benioff. Fast forward to today, and she's still being backed by Silicon Valley heavyweights. After Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed her for president, Harris raked in over $50 million in donations in just 24 hours. But now, as AI becomes a more prominent issue, her relationship with tech is evolving.

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Harris has made it clear she prioritizes safety over profit. "In the absence of regulation ... some tech companies choose profit over the well-being of their customers," she said at an AI Safety Summit. She's all for keeping AI in check, but that's not exactly music to the ears of companies like Microsoft and Alphabet, which are heavily invested in AI development.

So what does this mean for Big Tech? If Harris follows Biden's lead, we can expect a continuation of his AI regulation plans, with maybe a few tweaks here and there. She's not looking to rewrite the rule book but is focused on ensuring AI is used responsibly. That could mean more oversight and stricter regulations, especially regarding how these companies handle user data and develop AI systems.

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But Harris isn't just about cracking down. She's also a longtime supporter of tech innovation. From her days as a district attorney in San Francisco to her time questioning Meta's Mark Zuckerberg on Capitol Hill, Harris has shown she can be firm but fair with tech leaders. She's uniquely positioned to balance innovation and safety, especially given her connections to Silicon Valley.