Tech Clash 2024: Trump vs. Harris and the Battle to Shape America’s Digital Future

Tech Clash 2024: Trump vs. Harris and the Battle to Shape America’s Digital Future

As the 2024 presidential election unfolds, technology policy may not be driving voters to the polls, but its outcomes could profoundly reshape how Americans communicate, work, and interact with the world over the next four years. With rapid developments in AI, data privacy, and the growing influence of Big Tech, both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have outlined differing visions for the country’s digital future. The key question facing voters and policymakers is how to strike the right balance between fostering innovation and implementing necessary regulations.

Tech policy experts emphasize that the real action is happening in Congress, where coalition-building often determines legislative success. The Senate’s impressive achievement in passing the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) with a 91-vote coalition demonstrates this dynamic, though advancing similar legislation in the House may face greater obstacles.

Trump’s Tech Agenda: Free Market with a Grudge

Donald Trump’s approach to tech policy is shaped by his turbulent relationship with social media platforms, particularly after being banned from Twitter (now X) following the January 6th Capitol events. His platform emphasizes fighting what he calls “illegal censorship” by Big Tech, reflecting his long-standing grievances with the companies. Policy experts suggest Trump’s tech policy positions appear to be influenced more by personal relationships than ideological convictions, with figures like Elon Musk potentially having significant sway over his policy decisions.

Despite these conflicts, Trump’s broader approach remains rooted in a hands-off, free-market philosophy. Ryan Waite, VP of Public Affairs at digital advocacy firm Think Big, describes Trump’s tendency to “allow businesses to innovate and do what they do well with the belief that time will iron out problems in these technologies.” This laissez-faire approach prioritizes economic growth and innovation over regulatory constraints.

Harris’s Vision: Inclusive Innovation with Industry Ties

In contrast, Harris’s vision for tech regulation emphasizes inclusive innovation and a balance between industry growth and consumer protection. At a recent Cipriani Wall Street fundraiser, Harris signaled a subtle shift from the Biden administration’s more protection-focused stance. “We will encourage innovative technologies like AI and digital assets while protecting our consumers and investors,” she stated, reflecting her strategy to partner with industry while safeguarding the public. This approach marks a move closer to Trump’s traditionally lighter-touch regulation, focusing on stimulating industry growth alongside some oversight.

During her time as Vice President, the Biden-Harris administration achieved significant wins for the tech and science communities, notably through the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. This act provided funding for clean energy projects, semiconductor manufacturing, and R&D, with an eye on strengthening America’s global tech leadership. Harris’s tech agenda continues to emphasize expanding broadband access, maintaining net neutrality, and enforcing data protections.

The Congressional Reality

The practical implementation of tech policy often matters more than campaign promises. Legislative experts point to the complexity of the agenda, noting how tech policy must compete with pressing issues like appropriations bills, Ukraine, Israel, and other hot-button topics that affect congressional negotiations.

Contrasting Philosophies, Similar Approaches to AI

On emerging technologies like AI and cryptocurrency, both Trump and Harris have proposed approaches that aren’t as divergent as their broader political stances might suggest. Harris has expressed support for advancing these technologies while implementing safeguards, emphasizing a partnership between government and industry to enhance America’s competitiveness. Trump, meanwhile, adopts a wait-and-see approach, arguing that industries need time to address challenges on their own. Both candidates recognize the transformative potential of AI and digital assets but differ in the degree of oversight they advocate.

Antitrust and Big Tech Regulation

Harris’s administration would likely continue the Biden administration’s efforts to challenge monopolistic practices by large platforms, building on executive orders and ongoing lawsuits against companies like Meta and Amazon. In contrast, Trump’s tech policies would likely roll back some consumer protections instituted under Biden, focusing instead on promoting free-market principles.

Both campaigns aim to strengthen America’s competitiveness in the global market, but their strategies reflect their differing governance philosophies. Harris’s inclusive framework seeks to expand access to digital tools and ensure equitable growth, with a strong focus on equality and universal access to digital tools, as Waite explains. Trump’s agenda, on the other hand, focuses on economic impact, favoring a business-first approach that allows companies to innovate without heavy-handed oversight.

A Broader Concern Among Voters

For many Americans, concerns over the influence of Big Tech and the role of AI are paramount. A recent Pew Research Center survey revealed that voters across party lines are wary of AI’s role in influencing the election and uneasy about Big Tech’s growing power. However, most voters remain detached from the intricate details of tech legislation. Waite likens current debates over AI and digital assets to the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which restructured the industry and paved the way for the digital era. “We’re at an earthquake moment,” he says, referring to the sweeping changes AI could bring to the digital landscape.

The 2024 election may not hinge on tech policy, but the outcome could have a lasting impact on America’s digital future. Whether it’s broadband access, online safety for children, or AI regulation, voters care about the tangible issues affecting their daily lives. As Waite puts it, “Voters might not always know the legislative details, but they do care about having reliable broadband access, keeping their kids safe online, and ensuring that innovation is advancing to keep pace with global competition.”

In the end, the contrasting approaches of Trump and Harris highlight a broader debate over the role of government in regulating emerging technologies. While the Senate remains the primary arena for legislative action, the outcome of the Trump-Harris matchup could significantly influence how America’s digital landscape evolves over the next four years.