Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) chaired a Senate Subcommittee on Science, Manufacturing, and Competitiveness hearing to examine the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in supporting workforce development, healthcare, and industry. In his opening remarks, Budd addressed both the opportunities and concerns related to AI adoption in various sectors.
Budd emphasized that AI has the potential to improve quality of life by making workplaces safer and more productive, enhancing manufacturing capabilities important for economic and national security—such as semiconductors—and aiding efforts to reshore manufacturing through automation. He noted that “Smart systems and devices have the potential to revolutionize healthcare, improving early detection of diseases such as cancer and helping people with disabilities live better lives, not by replacing doctors, but by augmenting their diagnostic and treatment capabilities.” He also highlighted the possibility for AI-enabled research to reduce barriers in drug discovery.
Addressing public concerns about technological disruption, Budd said: “There is a natural hesitancy toward technology that may disrupt incumbent industries or systems. It is normal to worry about the impacts of advancement on your job, your children, and your community.” However, he reiterated his belief in innovation’s role in American progress: “If we have learned anything from our history, it is that innovation is the lifeblood of the American economy.”
Budd discussed international competition in AI development. He stated: “As I have said before, winning the AI race against China is paramount for our national and economic security.” He referenced ongoing government initiatives aimed at strengthening America’s position in global AI standards.
The hearing also explored how access to quality data could support advances in healthcare solutions. Budd asked witnesses if greater access to open government data would help their companies deploy AI more effectively. Mr. Giannikopoulos responded: “The access to data is a critical aspect of development for artificial intelligence. So having more robust access to … ideally in healthcare outcomes-linked data, will provide opportunities to actually assess these solutions…against Real American data as part of that.” Regarding radiology specifically, Giannikopoulos said: “[In] radiology…there are two key areas. It’s the images and the reports…Being able to access that longitudinal information, at scale, would enable significant development.”
On workforce issues related to robotics deployment, Dr. Shelton commented on how government-released data can help companies understand broader economic trends: “The government release of data is actually helpful a couple of ways. First…it gives us a very broad look at the economy as a whole….And second…it gives us a broad representative look at what people are doing.” Discussing fears around job replacement due to automation—especially where there are labor shortages—Dr. Shelton added: “We see a lot of pressure from the small and medium business community that would love to adopt this kind of technology….I think the broader look at the labor pressures that are faced by those businesses…would be super helpful.”
Throughout his remarks and questions during the hearing, Budd stressed bipartisan cooperation as essential for addressing challenges while ensuring Americans benefit from advancements in artificial intelligence.
