With the rise of artificial intelligence, candidates in the U.S. Senate race in Texas are making technology a key part of their campaigns.
Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico are set to face off in the Nov. 3 General Election for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas and both candidates have staked their claims when it comes to technology and innovation.
For Talarico, that means a comprehensive plan to rein in data centers and social media companies, while also ensuring the right to free speech is not impeded.
“Our government has a role to play in ensuring technology makes our lives easier, safer, and more productive,” Talarico wrote on his campaign website. “America should be the world’s innovation leader — but it shouldn’t come at the cost of our children’s safety, our workers’ livelihoods, or the reliability of the news we consume.
“We too often think about politics as binary choices. When it comes to regulating the tech sector, some say we must choose between innovation and stagnation or free speech and censorship. I reject that false choice.”
The following are some of Talarico’s priorities related to data centers, artificial intelligence and social media:
“We can defend free speech while holding powerful corporations accountable,” Talarico wrote. “We can encourage innovation while setting clear guidelines that protect Americans from harm. We can and must do both.”
Paxton focused on crypto growth
Paxton’s platform on technology rests largely on his plan to advance cryptocurrency growth and innovation, though his plan provides little in the way of details or policy proposals.
“America must be the crypto capital of the world and support innovation and growth,” a blurb on Paxton’s campaign website states. “Digital assets are one of the defining frontiers changing the world, and the United States cannot afford to fall behind.”
Key to Paxton’s plan is the passage of the CLARITY Act, which aims to establish the United States as “the crypto capital of the world by balancing innovation with strong investor protections and tough law enforcement tools,” according to a news release from the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.
“Empowering crypto innovators is critical to ensuring America’s long-term competitiveness and leadership,” Paxton’s website states.
Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Paxton, Talarico split on tech agenda in Texas US Senate race
Reporting by Adam Powell, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Adam Powell, El Paso Times | USA TODAY Network
