Where Harris and Trump Campaigns Stand on Tech Policy: AI, Big Tech, and Regulation

As the 2024 presidential election nears, technology policy, while not at the forefront of most voters’ minds, is a critical factor shaping the future of how Americans communicate, work, and interact with the world. The rapid pace of technological advancements—especially in artificial intelligence (AI), data privacy, and social media—will have profound implications over the next four years.

Despite not being central to their platforms, both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have outlined different visions for how technology should be regulated and integrated into the daily lives of Americans. From AI oversight to Big Tech accountability, the two candidates offer contrasting approaches to managing the digital future.

Kamala Harris: Inclusivity, Data Protection, and Net Neutrality

As Vice President under the Biden administration, Kamala Harris has largely focused her tech policy on ensuring inclusivity, consumer protection, and fair access to digital tools. One of the administration’s major accomplishments is the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, which provided significant funding for semiconductor manufacturing, environmental research, and clean energy. The act was aimed at boosting America’s technological competitiveness by fostering innovation and securing supply chains for critical technologies.

Harris is also a strong advocate for net neutrality and broadband expansion, with a focus on ensuring that underserved communities gain equal access to high-speed internet. Her policies are aimed at reducing the digital divide and promoting economic opportunities through technology, particularly for small businesses and rural areas.

AI and data privacy are central concerns for Harris, as she has emphasized the need for robust consumer protections in the face of rapidly evolving technologies. At a recent fundraiser, she acknowledged AI’s growing role in the economy and emphasized the importance of finding a balance between encouraging innovation and protecting consumers from potential abuses. “We will encourage innovative technologies like AI and digital assets while protecting our consumers and investors,” Harris said.

Harris’s platform also maintains a focus on holding Big Tech accountable for monopolistic practices. The Biden administration has filed antitrust lawsuits against tech giants like Meta and Amazon, and Harris is likely to continue pursuing these actions if elected, advocating for stronger enforcement of antitrust laws to regulate large tech platforms.

Donald Trump: Deregulation and Free Market Innovation

Donald Trump’s tech policy, on the other hand, takes a more free market approach, emphasizing deregulation and allowing businesses to innovate with minimal government intervention. During his previous administration, Trump launched a series of antitrust lawsuits against Big Tech companies such as Google and Facebook but largely focused on claims of “illegal censorship” by these platforms, particularly regarding their handling of conservative voices.

Trump has repeatedly voiced his distrust of major social media platforms, particularly after his ban from X (formerly Twitter) following the January 6 Capitol riots. He has since advocated for policies that would limit the power of Big Tech to regulate speech on their platforms, aligning with his broader focus on limiting government oversight and promoting a hands-off approach to tech industry regulation.

When it comes to AI and cryptocurrencies, Trump’s stance is surprisingly similar to Harris’s in terms of fostering innovation. Trump has acknowledged the importance of these emerging technologies, though he favors a lighter regulatory touch to allow the industries to grow before imposing strict oversight. He believes that market forces will eventually correct any potential issues arising from these technologies, emphasizing that “time will work itself out” in addressing challenges.

Antitrust and Data Privacy: Diverging Views

While both candidates recognize the importance of regulating Big Tech, their approaches differ significantly. Harris’s policies lean toward stronger enforcement of antitrust regulations, focusing on preventing monopolistic practices and protecting consumer data. The Biden administration’s executive order on promoting competition in the American economy highlights this approach, with lawsuits filed against companies accused of using personal data for monopolistic gains.

Trump, in contrast, has a more pro-business stance, focusing less on consumer protections and more on promoting industry growth. His administration’s tech policies are likely to prioritize economic impact over stringent regulations, favoring the idea that innovation and market competition should drive tech policy, rather than government intervention.

A Future-Shaping Debate

Though tech policy is not the defining issue of this election, the choices voters make could have far-reaching consequences for the way technology impacts their lives. With AI, social media, and digital privacy becoming increasingly central to daily life, finding the right balance between innovation and regulation will be crucial for the next administration. As both Harris and Trump outline their differing views, Americans will need to consider how the rapid pace of technological advancement shapes the future of work, communication, and governance.