Senior Democrat Jim Clyburn Admits Ignorance of AI
The South Carolina representative stated he didn't know what AI was until recently, sparking concern amid ongoing AI policy debates.
Representative Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, a senior Democrat, recently admitted he had no prior knowledge of artificial intelligence (AI) until about a week before his statement. The lawmaker disclosed his unfamiliarity with AI in a summer interview on the "America, Actually" podcast, stating, "Believe it or not, I didn’t know what that was until a week ago."
When asked by host Astead Herndon about using AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude, Clyburn, 86, confirmed he was unaware of what they were. He also stated he had never visited a data center.
Herndon questioned how a legislator could effectively craft policy on AI, given its rapid technological advancements and the societal anxiety surrounding its impact on employment, especially for lawmakers who are not closely following these shifts. Clyburn responded by emphasizing his reliance on his staff and his legislative expertise.
"I have a great staff. You know, I wish I could know everything," Clyburn said. "I don’t know everything, and I don’t spend my time trying to learn everything. What I spend my time doing is trying to surround myself with people who do know stuff."
He added, "I know how to legislate. I know how to build relationships. I hire people who put knowledge into the game that I can practice."
The remarks gained renewed attention when New York City Councilwoman Sandy Nurse retweeted the clip. "Well, this clip doesn’t inspire any confidence in Federal legislators," Nurse commented. "It’s actually great that we’re having this hearing and moving legislation as the largest municipality in the country."
Nurse's comment coincided with a hearing held by the New York City Council on AI safety, which featured testimony from Anthropic whistleblower Jacob Coxon. The council is reportedly moving forward with AI legislation.
Clyburn's office has been contacted for comment regarding his statements on AI. The controversy highlights ongoing discussions about the need for technological literacy among lawmakers as AI continues to evolve and impact various sectors.