Republican lawmakers embrace AI while turning up the heat on social media

Republicans are increasing their support of artificial intelligence, proposing bills that support more innovation and development and hinder state legislative oversight while intensifying their scrutiny of tech giants and social media platforms over content moderation.

While giving AI development a regulatory green light, Republicans are simultaneously turning up the heat on social media platforms over issues of censorship and content moderation, especially concerning conservative viewpoints.

A push for AI growth

The US House of Representatives Energy and Commerce committee, led by GOP lawmakers, introduced a budget and reconciliation bill that would allow the federal government to update its IT infrastructure and permit the Commerce Department to use AI systems.

The bill would also effectively bar state and local governments from regulating artificial intelligence systems for the next 10 years. According to the bill’s proponents, this would allow the American AI market to grow and be adequately studied.

However, there are concerns that the bill won’t be considered in the upper chamber of the Senate, as it’s part of a budget bill while it proposes a major policy change.

While the conversation is ongoing, President Trump ’s visit to the Middle East continues to yield investments as he pushes to position American tech at the forefront of AI innovation. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and President Trump have agreed to build an AI-focused massive data center complex. The partnership deal also included US companies providing the UAE with advanced chips.

Cracking down on transmitted obscene content

Senator Mike Lee, representing Utah, reintroduced the Interstate Obscenity Definition Act (IODA). The bill seeks to redefine obscenity for the digital age by establishing a clearer, nationwide standard for what qualifies as obscene content, making it easier to identify and take down harmful material.

In the US, it is illegal to transmit obscene content via telecommunications with the intention to harass or cause abuse. However, this current bill takes away the requirement that there has to be an intention to harass or abuse. This has the potential to widen the range of online transmitted content that can be criminalized while being tagged as obscene.

While the bill currently lacks bipartisan support, it has been able to gain attention for its potential to enable the prosecution of online pornography under obscenity laws. Its supporters say it’s meant to protect children from explicit content, while critics warn it could impact free speech.

More moderation for social media platforms

The other bill being pushed by Republicans that could potentially have serious impacts on social media platforms such as Meta , X, TikTok, and others is the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). It was first introduced in 2022 and aims to protect children from harmful online content by requiring social media platforms to remove addictive features and offer more parental controls, among other provisions.

In 2023, the bill passed the Senate with support across party lines but failed in the House. The latest version has addressed previous concerns by narrowing its scope and limiting the authority of state attorneys general, earning support from previous skeptics.

It’s reported to also have the support of tech giants like Apple and figures such as Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

Critics, however, argue it could lead to increased censorship, especially of LGBTQ+ content, and cause platforms to over-police speech to avoid legal risk. Analysts say the bill could lead to excessive moderating, altering how platforms use algorithms and engage users, especially teenagers.

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