Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said Americans are justified in doubting whether Congress can effectively regulate artificial intelligence, stressing that lawmakers must demonstrate real results to earn public trust.

AI Regulation Skepticism

On Wednesday, Schiff expressed concern about the federal government's ability to keep pace with fast-evolving technology, acknowledging public skepticism about whether Washington can proactively regulate AI.

"Americans are justified in being skeptical about the U.S.’s ability to get ahead of regulating AI," Schiff wrote in a post on X while sharing a clip of his interview.

He added, "It will require action and results to prove that Congress can responsibly lead in AI."

During the interview, Schiff said voters see a government that often reacts to developments rather than anticipating them, especially in areas such as technology and global conflicts.

"Their skepticism is sadly well placed and probably better placed when it comes to the whole issue of AI than any other," Schiff said.

He noted that AI is already affecting employment prospects, particularly for recent college graduates seeking entry-level positions.

"This is already having a dramatic impact on people’s lives," he added.

"New college graduates [are] finding it more and more difficult to find entry-level jobs. It’s going to transform the workplace."

Schiff also acknowledged the government's uneven track record in regulating technology, saying public doubt reflects past challenges.

"The only thing that will overcome that skepticism isn't some argument I can make. It is. Can we prove it? Can we actually get things done?" he said.

Lawmakers, Tech Leaders Push For Clear AI Rules

Earlier, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) warned that AI could displace millions of American workers if unchecked, criticizing tech billionaires for advancing the technology without public oversight.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said the U.S. could lead the AI race only if the government avoided heavy-handed regulation and private industry acted as a "patriotic partner," comparing the challenge to the space race.

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) urged commonsense rules to protect families while supporting innovation, emphasizing that AI required responsible oversight to ensure accountability and global competitiveness.

Alphabet Inc.’s (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL) CEO Sundar Pichai called for national AI regulations to avoid a confusing patchwork of state laws, highlighted AI's potential benefits and risks and discussed Google's defensive tools and solar-powered AI data centers.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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