This article first appeared as an item in our morning news digest, The Front Page, on February 12.
I’m always surprised when a politician gives a good speech. Whether that says more about me or the quality of our elected officials, I’m not sure. But either way, yesterday brought a pleasant surprise: a good speech by a politician! In fact, a very good speech by a pretty senior politician.
I am referring to Vice President J.D. Vance’s address at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris. In his first overseas trip as VP, Vance issued a blistering warning of the risks of overregulating AI.
Vance said AI “will make people more productive, more prosperous, and more free,” adding: “The United States of America is the leader in AI, and our administration plans to keep it that way.”
The contrast with Europe, which has positioned itself as a leader in AI regulation but lacks an actual AI industry, is stark.
When it comes to a politician talking about tech, I expect someone who doesn’t really know what they are talking about, reading something written by someone else. While I’m sure Vance had help from a speechwriter, he left little doubt that he knew what he was talking about—and what he thinks about it. As Free Press contributor Katherine Boyle put it, “Incredible to see a political leader translate how a new technology can promote human flourishing with such clarity.”
His speech was also perhaps the best example yet of the new MAGA fusionism—a mix of nationalism and techno-optimism—that is a defining characteristic of Trump’s second term.
If you can spare 15 minutes, it’s worth a watch:
Related: Read two sides of the AI debate in our pages. Marc Andreessen explains why “AI Will Save the World.” Paul Kingsnorth says: “Rage Against the Machine.”
