The next Congress will write rules for AI and emerging tech. They should use the stuff first.
The 120th Congress will begin regulating emerging technologies like AI in January 2027, with Americans increasingly concerned about their impacts while simultaneously adopting them.
The 120th Congress will begin regulating emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and super intelligence in January 2027. Recent campaigns across the country highlighted concerns about data centers, AI, and new technologies, signaling that comprehensive regulation is imminent.
New research by Ipsos reveals that 63% of Americans believe the financial system needs upgrading to handle new threats like AI, while 74% consider financial privacy important. Nearly three-quarters of Americans also want candidates to support building the next generation of financial technology in the United States.
Public Adoption Rising
Despite concerns, Americans are increasingly embracing new technologies. Pew Research data shows that half of Americans now use AI chatbots, up from one in three in 2024. This growing adoption highlights the need for policymakers who understand what they're regulating.
The gap between technology's rapid evolution and Washington's understanding of it could determine whether the US leads or lags behind international competitors like China. Closing this education gap should start with a simple principle: those writing the rules should have hands-on experience with the technologies they're regulating.
Hands-On Experience
Congressional leaders can experiment with some technologies directly from their devices, such as sending a stablecoin from a centralized crypto exchange or asking an AI chatbot about their district. For more complex technologies, demos from developers can be helpful in understanding concepts like centralized versus decentralized finance or open versus closed source AI.
In every case of hands-on experience, a Member leaves with a better understanding and the ability to ask sharper, more thoughtful questions, grounded in their own experience rather than second-hand explanations.
New Congressional Class
The incoming class of Congressional leaders arrives in Washington DC in January 2027 with clear expectations from constituents to improve American systems. Many have not yet formed positions on AI, crypto, prediction markets, or underlying infrastructure. First-term members, particularly, are building their staffs, networks, and policy priorities.
This class is one of the largest in years, suggesting many open, curious minds looking to learn and build new connections across industries. What they experience in their first months on Capitol Hill will shape their legislative approach for years to come.
Staff Education
Congressional staff play a crucial role in tech policy, as they take industry meetings and draft legislative language. Many are learning about these issues in real-time, given the fast-moving nature of the technology. Public and private partnerships can help newly elected leaders and their staff experience emerging technologies firsthand.
The industry must be prepared to demonstrate technologies and answer questions to ensure policymakers are ready to write rules that will govern US technology for decades. As the author notes, "Policymaker education on emerging technology has never mattered more."
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