Vice President Kamala Harris is facing renewed online criticism after a video clip of her past explanation of artificial intelligence resurfaced shortly after she posted a statement urging a slowdown in AI development. The resurfaced video shows Harris in 2023 describing AI as "two letters" and a "fancy thing."
In her recent statement, Harris, who has served as the Biden administration's AI czar, called for President Donald Trump to pursue a treaty with countries like China to halt dangerous uses of AI, limit its development speed, and establish global testing standards. She argued that pacing AI development is crucial to ensure it serves the public interest, without abandoning its potential for benefits like life-saving medical advancements. Harris also urged Congress to expedite AI oversight, stating that the U.S. must lead in AI development while implementing safety standards.
Following her statement, social media users recirculated the 2023 clip of her explanation. In the video, Harris stated, "First of all, it's two letters. It means artificial intelligence, but ultimately what it is, is it's about machine learning." She continued to elaborate on how machines are taught and the implications of the information fed into them for future decisions and opinions.
Online reactions included commentary from conservative influencer "Western Lensman," who posted the clip alongside the caption, "Kamala Harris on AI when it's not a written statement crafted by a team of consultants." National security expert Kyle Bass questioned the authenticity of Harris's recent AI statement, and columnist S.L. Kanthan criticized her stance on slowing AI progress.
Other users pointed to a different past clip of Harris explaining cloud storage, with some suggesting her recent AI post may have been generated by artificial intelligence.
Harris's call for AI regulation aligns with concerns voiced by other political figures. Former President Barack Obama also recently urged Democrats to prioritize AI regulation, warning of potential dangers without sufficient oversight.
In contrast, former President Donald Trump rejected calls for AI safeguards, asserting on social media that the technology requires a "STRONG AND SMART" president and suggesting that opposition to AI and data centers is a "SICK conspiracy" that benefits China. He emphasized U.S. leadership in AI development and its importance in global competition.