What AI Does—and Does Not—Change about Elections
Plus a podcast, conservatism and technology, antitrust, KOSA, and more…
AI and Election Speech: Ari wrote a coalition letter on the Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act, a broad-brush prior-restraint ban on many kinds of AI speech about elections. Simply put, it’s unconstitutional—and groups from the Competitive Enterprise Institute to the ACLU agree.
Podcast: On the Tech Policy Podcast, Corbin did a crossover episode with the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Free the Economy podcast with Richard Morrison. Their talk ranged across the history of podcasting, tech and political change, how people build virtual communities, why the tech doomers are usually wrong, and more.
Substack: Corbin also wrote a Substack piece, building on the podcast, looking at the relationship between conservatism and technological progress: Has technology made conservatism obsolete? If not, what does it mean to be conservative these days?
Space: Jim filed comments with NASA about its technology shortfall inquiry in returning humans to the Moon and then on to Mars: What does the space program really need, and where are the technology gaps? Jim pointed out critical items not included: good maps of the Moon, and technologies to actually construct a permanent base on the Moon.
Antitrust: Bilal filed comments with India’s Ministry of Corporate Affairs, building on his previous international work to challenge a draft bill that would set up some very broad tests in the country’s antitrust law.
KOSA: We joined a coalition letter on the Kids Online Safety Act, which has been resurrected once again, with essentially the same concerns as last time: It’s an unconstitutional law that would age-gate the Internet and chill protected speech for adults and youth alike.
Social Media: Ari did an interview with Stand Together about the future of social media: “The more individual control you have,” he said, “the more likely it is that a greater number of people will [be comfortable engaging online] because they'll be able to dial it in themselves.”
Influence: Earlier this month, Washingtonian magazine included Berin on their list of “Most Influential Washingtonians in Policy.” His advice to his 18-year-old self? “Spend more time with ideas and people you don’t agree with—they’re so much more interesting.” We pride ourselves on doing just that.
Do you have time to answer a few questions about the November election?