A conversation with Congressman Jay Obernolte on artificial intelligence – San Diego Union-Tribune

A conversation with Congressman Jay Obernolte on artificial intelligence – San Diego Union-Tribune

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/06/19/a-conversation-with-congressman-jay-obernolte-on-artificial-intelligence/

Publish Date: 2026-06-19 13:29:00

Source Domain: www.sandiegouniontribune.com

• Congressional Innovation in AI Regulation: Congressman Jay Obernolte, R-California, and Congresswoman Lori Trahan, D-Massachusetts, have introduced the Great American AI Act (GAAIA), aiming to federally regulate AI model development, focusing on harm mitigation standards and auditing for enforcement.

• Federal vs. State Regulations: GAAIA would preempt state legislation regulating AI development for three years or more if reauthorized, which is contentious as it could prevent addressing critical concerns like deepfakes and AI-based scams in state laws.

• Displaced Workers Assistance: The act proposes frameworks for studying workforce disruptions and establishing retraining programs but does not prevent job displacement directly. Instead, it concentrates on offering support after the disruption.

• Optimistic Take on AI Impact: Obernolte holds an optimistic view on AI’s potential job creation over displacement, comparing it to past technological revolutions like the internet and the printing press, highlighting AI’s capability to boost human productivity.

• Preemption and Concerns: There are concerns about the preemption of state regulations, especially seeing some states (like California) have specific AI-related laws that GAAIA could override, raising issues about limiting AI abuses.

• Surveillance and Privacy Concerns: The article highlights potential misuses of AI for government surveillance and warfare, emphasizing the need for restrictions on how AI is used by governments to protect individual rights.

• Current State of GAAIA: The current draft of GAAIA is open for industry and policymaker consultations, indicating the bill is not yet finalized and can be refined based on feedback.

• Future of AI: The potential benefits of AI remain uncertain, and while GAAIA offers a proactive approach, it falls short in addressing some immediate and critical issues brought by AI advancements.