Vice President Kamala Harris may become the Democrats’ new nominee now that President Joe Biden has dropped out of the race. Biden has offered his full support and endorsement for Harris to be the nominee, and Harris has expressed her intention to win and earn the nomination. However, it remains uncertain whether other Democratic politicians will challenge her for the nomination at an open convention or through some other selection process.
If Harris is selected as the nominee, the Democrats will have a candidate with roots in the Bay Area, as she was born in Oakland and has a long-standing relationship with the tech industry. It’s worth noting that Donald Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, also has deep connections to Silicon Valley. Harris served as San Francisco’s district attorney, then California’s attorney general before being elected to the Senate in 2016.
Harris has garnered support from prominent venture capitalists such as John Doerr and Ron Conway, as well as endorsements from industry figures like LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman. However, some critics in the tech industry have voiced concerns about her track record as attorney general, alleging that she didn’t do enough to curb the power of tech giants as they grew. During the 2020 presidential campaign, when Elizabeth Warren was advocating for the breakup of big tech companies, Harris took a different stance, suggesting that they should be regulated on privacy issues.
Nevertheless, Harris has not shied away from criticizing tech CEOs and calling for more regulation. As a senator, she pressed social networks on misinformation, and during her previous presidential run in 2016, she emphasized the need for tech companies to be regulated to protect consumer privacy. In her role as vice president, Harris has also spoken about the importance of regulating artificial intelligence (AI), rejecting the notion that it’s a choice between protecting the public or advancing innovation.
President Biden had issued an executive order calling for companies to establish new standards for AI development, and Harris supported these voluntary commitments as an initial step toward a safer AI future. She emphasized the need for regulation and strong government oversight, stating that in the absence of these measures, some technology companies prioritize profit over the well-being of their customers and the stability of democracies. However, venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz have expressed concerns about the Biden Administration potentially overregulating AI, which influenced their support for Donald Trump.
While Harris has been less vocal on the issue of cryptocurrency, it can be presumed that she would support the Biden Administration’s regulations in this area. Her stance on cryptocurrency is not explicitly stated in the given information.
In conclusion, Vice President Kamala Harris has a strong connection to the tech industry and has received support from influential figures within the sector. However, her track record as attorney general has drawn criticism from some who believe she should have done more to curb the power of tech giants. Despite this, Harris has been vocal about the need for regulation and oversight of tech companies, particularly regarding privacy and misinformation. As vice president, she has also expressed support for regulating AI to ensure the safety and well-being of the public. While her stance on cryptocurrency remains unclear, it is likely that she would support the Biden Administration’s regulations in this area.
