How Harris, Walz Have Supported IT Modernization, AI Policy

Vice President Kamala Harris and her presidential running mate pick Tim Walz have both supported various technology modernization efforts that could paint a picture for what their administration could look like for federal tech policy.

Artificial intelligence is one of those areas. It’s recently dominated the tech conversation after President Biden’s October 2023 executive order and subsequent implementation plan directed agencies to harness AI development.

“When it comes to AI, America is a global leader. It is American companies that lead the world in AI innovation. It is America that can catalyze global action and build global consensus in a way that no other country can. And under President Joe Biden, it is America that will continue to lead on AI,” Harris said last fall at the AI Safety Summit in the United Kingdom.

How the Candidates Supported Tech

Harris has lauded several AI-related initiatives that build off of the AI executive order, including the new AI Safety Institute within the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Recently, Harris praised the $504 million investment in 12 new Tech Hubs across the United States, following an initial investment to create 31 Tech Hubs in 2023 authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act to integrate artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science into medical technology.

As governor of Minnesota, Walz saw his state’s MedTech Hub 3.0, a consortium led by Minneapolis Saint Paul Economic Development Partnership, designated as one of those 31 inaugural hubs. He has touted the impact of the designation on the local economy and accelerating smart technology for health care.

“Minnesota leads the world in innovative medical technology, and as governor I’ve made the case for critical investments in workforce development, education, research and more to bolster our position and keep us competitive,” Walz said in a press release. “I’m proud that Minnesota landed this federal investment to accelerate production of next-generation smart tech, creating jobs at home and improving health care around the globe.”

Walz has signed numerous bills for Minnesota to invest more than $500 million in technology spending for the state to modernize cloud and other IT systems. One of those includes the State Government Finance Bill to create “local and county cybersecurity grants.” Another, the State and Local Government Finance and Policy provided investment in new cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, application modernization and digital services.

Walz also designated $15 million in March to improve the technology used to track and manage the state’s foster care cases as a part of the supplemental budget proposal.