'I don't trust it, I don't like it': Lawmakers sound off on why they don't use AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a hot topic on Capitol Hill, with a mix of lawmakers beginning to incorporate it into their daily routines while others remain hesitant. Some politicians are experimenting with tools like Grok and ChatGPT to enhance their speeches or analyze their records. However, a significant number of their colleagues have yet to embrace this technology. Democratic Representative Gabe Vasquez from New Mexico expressed his uncertainty, stating, "I haven't had the chance to really explore the tools. I'm a little behind the times in that sense." The reasons for this reluctance vary widely. A portion of lawmakers are skeptical about AI's reliability, fearing that reliance on it could undermine their own skills. In a notable instance, one senator publicly clashed with an AI chatbot on social media. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia articulated his mixed feelings about AI, explaining that he feels comfortable gathering information independently and has never used AI chatbots voluntarily. He shared a recent experience where his email client began generating AI summaries of his messages, which he found unwarranted and error-prone. "It's like, first, I didn't ask for it. Second, it's got a high error rate," he remarked. In a survey conducted in June, Business Insider spoke with approximately a dozen lawmakers regarding their attitudes toward AI. Polls indicate an increasing number of Americans are utilizing AI in their workplaces, with a Gallup survey revealing that 40% of employees use it a few times per year and 27% frequently or daily. Republican Representative Greg Murphy from North Carolina, who balances his congressional role with a medical practice, noted that he has experimented with AI for medical inquiries but avoids using it in official capacities. He emphasized, "I don't want people writing speeches for me or drafting letters to constituents with that. If my constituents wanted something from ChatGPT, they could have Googled it themselves." Senator Josh Hawley, another Republican, has taken a firm stance against AI, stating, "I don't trust it, I don't like it, I don't want it being trained on any of the information I might give it." Likewise, some lawmakers express concerns about relying on AI for tasks they value performing themselves. Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York commented, "I've just never felt the need, and I like being creative. Writing is a use-it-or-lose-it skill, and I don't want to lose it." Democratic Representative Jim McGovern of Massachusetts echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing his preference for original thought over technological assistance. Concerns about AI's propensity for generating inaccurate information, often referred to as "hallucination," have also dissuaded some lawmakers from engaging with the technology. Senator Elizabeth Warren pointed out, "I might as well go out on the street and ask a random person a question and see what words they come up with. Maybe they're right, but then again, maybe they're not, and the only way to know that is to do the research yourself."