Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) led a hearing of the Senate Subcommittee on Science, Manufacturing, and Competitiveness to examine how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to improve the workforce, healthcare, and industry in the United States. The session brought together lawmakers and witnesses to discuss both the benefits and concerns surrounding AI adoption.
In his opening statement, Senator Budd addressed members of the committee and witnesses. He said, “Thank you, Ranking Member Baldwin, Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, and our witnesses for working to put this important hearing together.”
Budd outlined several ways that AI could bring improvements to American life. “Artificial Intelligence will undoubtedly usher in significant improvements in quality of life for the American people. It will make many workplaces safer and more productive, helping to increase output, raise wages, and grow the economy. It will enhance manufacturing capabilities, especially those of critical importance to our economic and national security, such as semiconductors and those in the defense industrial base. It will make it easier to reshore manufacturing through human-enhancing automation and digital twinning simulation.”
He also highlighted AI’s potential role in healthcare: “Smart systems and devices have the potential to revolutionize healthcare, improving early detection of diseases such as cancer and helping people with disabilities live better lives, not by replacing doctors, but by augmenting their diagnostic and treatment capabilities. AI-enabled research, aided by self-driving cloud labs, could massively reduce barriers to the discovery of new drugs. AI’s potential in the healthcare industry presents unique opportunities to save and improve lives.”
Budd acknowledged public concerns about rapid technological change: “I have also noted that, as I travel the state, some North Carolinians share concerns about the growth of AI and automated or autonomous technology. There is a natural hesitancy toward technology that may disrupt incumbent industries or systems. It is normal to worry about the impacts of advancement on your job, your children, and your community.”
He emphasized America’s history with innovation: “But if we have learned anything from our history, it is that innovation is the lifeblood of the American economy. Our nation’s story has been shaped by technological advancements that have time and again expanded prosperity and improved outcomes. I believe that AI deployed in numerous ingenious ways can help people be better versions of themselves in their daily lives. For those of us in this room, it is our job to listen to those concerns and work together in a bipartisan fashion to address potential harms so that our nation can reap the tremendous benefits AI can offer.”
Budd discussed global competition over AI development: “As I have said before, winning the AI race against China is paramount for our national and economic security. The administration is leaning in and providing important leadership. Ongoing work to first identify and then aid in the export of the American AI stack—from hardware down to software—will help ensure that global AI diffusion and standards are anchored in American values. The Genesis mission will build upon America’s scientific dominance by networking together world-class labs, computing power, and data sets to turbocharge scientific discovery.”
He noted how quickly Americans are adopting AI compared with other technologies: “The diffusion of AI into the economy will be a critical dimension in this race. According to one report, AI is the most rapidly adopted general-purpose technology in history with three in five U.S. adults surveyed having used AI less than three years after its release. However other studies have found that U.S businesses can lag their Asian and even European peers in enterprise adoption of AI tools.”
Budd expressed concern about China’s approach: “I am concerned that China given its top-down command-and-control structure deep and sophisticated manufacturing industry and open-source-heavy AI ecosystem is in a prime position to diffuse AI quickly and broadly.”
He called for bipartisan action on domestic manufacturing: “Achieving a manufacturing renaissance in America is as bipartisan and deeply held a goal as any in Congress. Given demographic realities such as an ageing skilled workforce and stalled population growth we will need to diffuse and scale smart technologies and processes to make more critical goods domestically. I am excited to discuss many of these technologies today.”
Budd concluded his remarks by inviting input from expert witnesses: “Our witnesses are at front lines…making our economy…and daily lives smarter…I look forward…to hearing from them about what excites them what concerns them…and roadblocks we…can address.”
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee oversees legislation related to commerce—including science—and transportation issues during congressional sessions; it consists of senators from both parties under direction from its chairman.
“Innovation is the lifeblood of the American economy.”
