Will Lawrence rolls out plan for regulating Big Tech, data centers in Michigan and beyond
Democratic nominee William Lawrence has unveiled a plan to regulate Big Tech and data centers, including a call for a federal moratorium on data center development and new environmental protections. Lawrence's platform also outlines safety requirements for AI models and a national jobs program. His opponent, U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett, shares concerns about AI but opposes federal intervention in local land use and zoning decisions.
Democratic nominee William Lawrence, campaigning for Michigan's 7th Congressional District, has made his opposition to data centers a central theme, rolling out a "Stop Tech Overreach" plan.
Lawrence's proposal calls for a federal moratorium on data center and advanced artificial intelligence development to establish proper guardrails. He emphasizes the need for environmental protections surrounding data center construction, creating safety requirements for new AI models, and a national jobs program to counteract potential job market changes due to AI. This program would be funded by a tax on AI industry profits and would focus on jobs in elder care, public land improvement, wetland restoration, and support for small businesses and farmers.
Furthermore, Lawrence's compact seeks to limit AI use in K-12 schools, enhance privacy protections, bar AI from Social Security Administration decision-making, prohibit deceptive AI-generated political media, and prevent taxpayer bailouts for the AI industry.
Lawrence has criticized his opponent, U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett, for supporting legislation that included a 10-year moratorium on state regulation of AI. However, Barrett's campaign strategist, Jason Roe, stated that both candidates share concerns about AI's impact on labor, communities, education, national security, and human dignity. Barrett has already introduced legislation regarding AI, but he disagrees with Lawrence on the federal government dictating local land use and zoning decisions.