Kamala Harris Is the Right President for the Age of AI | Opinion

California Governor Gavin Newsom recently halted a bill that would have mandated safety testing for certain artificial intelligence (AI) models prior to their public release. This decision highlights a critical takeaway: regulating AI might be too complex for state governments alone, and governing this rapidly advancing technology will require coordinated national efforts led by strong leadership, including the next U.S. president.

As a former senior policy advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris, I witnessed firsthand her thoughtful approach to AI. She is methodical, thorough, and pragmatic, focusing on real-world outcomes rather than ideology. Her priority is always the everyday experiences of Americans, which was evident during a pivotal moment in the White House. Months after the launch of powerful AI tools like ChatGPT, Harris convened a small group of consumer advocates and labor leaders to discuss the technology’s impact. Her goal was to understand how these advancements were affecting regular people.

During that meeting, the vice president listened attentively as leaders voiced concerns about AI surveillance of factory workers, rogue algorithms affecting healthcare access, scams targeting seniors through voice-cloning technology, and deepfake images harming young women. Harris was already familiar with these issues. As California's attorney general, she had established the nation's first privacy protection unit, prosecuted cybercriminals, and negotiated global agreements with tech platforms to enhance user privacy. At the end of the meeting, Harris made a commitment to ensure that AI technologies would empower Americans, not harm them.

In the months that followed, Harris worked closely with President Joe Biden to address the issues raised in that meeting. Together, they developed an executive order tackling AI-driven tenant screening, worker surveillance, and synthetic content like voice cloning. The administration also focused on maintaining America's technological edge over China while supporting small businesses in the emerging AI market—policies that directly addressed the concerns of civil society leaders and advocates.

Harris' leadership on AI policy is part of a broader agenda aimed at supporting the middle class. Raised by a research scientist, she grew up in the tech-savvy Bay Area, where she developed a deep understanding of technology's potential to solve complex problems while recognizing the risks it poses when left unchecked. Her focus has consistently been on ensuring that innovation benefits all Americans, not just a select few.

In November of last year, Harris championed a global vision for AI that balances privacy protection with access to opportunity. Her behind-the-scenes efforts with tech executives resulted in voluntary safety commitments, ensuring that AI technology could flourish responsibly. These initiatives reflect her "innovation-forward, people-centered" approach to governance, a strategy designed to create a safe and thriving AI sector in the U.S.

However, these gains could be at risk under a second Trump administration. Trump’s 2024 platform includes plans to roll back many of the AI safety measures established by the Biden-Harris administration. According to reports, Trump allies are pushing for minimal oversight, allowing the AI industry to regulate itself—a recipe for undermining public trust in the technology. In contrast, Harris’ vision is clear: she will listen to the concerns of everyday Americans and act decisively to ensure that AI serves the public good.

As the influence of AI grows in daily life, the next U.S. president will have to navigate its impact on security, safety, and society. With Harris, Americans know what to expect: thoughtful leadership grounded in action and a commitment to ensuring technology benefits everyone.