2024 Presidential Debate Skips Crucial Discussions on AI and Quantum Computing.
Summary:
The first U.S. presidential debate for 2024 elections held in Atlanta surprisingly avoided discussing the topics of artificial intelligence and quantum computing, both crucial areas influencing the economy and cybersecurity respectively. Notably, the absence included both the moderators as well as candidates. Furthermore, issues like cryptocurrency, blockchain, and election safety also remained untouched. While the present direction seems to avoid technology-related discussions, subsequent debates might delve more into these domains.
June 27 saw the first of three U.S. presidential debates for the 2024 elections occur in Atlanta. However, a significant deviation from the norm was seen, as the event was aired without a live audience, the first instance since 1960. The absence of spectators was not the only unusual aspect. Despite the discussion spanning various issues such as immigration, economy, and voters' mindset, the terms "artificial intelligence" and "quantum computing" were absent. Noteworthy particularly given the far-reaching influence AI has had on the American stock market, economy, and technology sector over the last quartet of years. The upcoming president will also likely confront the so-called "Q-Day", when quantum computers gain enough power to break conventional encoding methods. American companies focusing on AI technology and investments constitute six or seven of the top ten globally valued firms. A recent Bank of America report predicted AI contributing over $13 trillion to the worldwide economy by 2030, a bulk of which America is expected to claim. Hence, the absence of AI discussion by the debate organizers and CNN moderators is indeed surprising. Neither did any of the candidates broach the AI topic. Current president Joe Biden asserted during the debate that climate change was the sole serious threat to the Americans. While most established scientists agree with this, a considerable fraction within the AI community fear the emergence of artificial general intelligence — machines with the ability to comprehend like humans — represents an equal peril. Another missing phrase during the debate was "quantum computing". With AI hogging the headlines, quantum computers' ability to revolutionize sectors like banking, logistics, chemistry, and science through simulations often gets overshadowed. Worse still, this could pave the way for nefarious entities and adversaries to exploit quantum computing to hack encryption and pilfer data. There was also a complete neglect of issues like election safety, cryptocurrency, blockchain, deepfakes, or social media during the debate. It's speculated that this might not be an inadvertent lapse but an intentional omission of technology from the discussions. The focus appeared to shift briefly to a tech-related matter when both candidates concurred on the necessity for equipment to detect fentanyl at the country's southern frontier. Still, the subsequent debates might broach technological and fintech topics more significantly.
Published At
6/28/2024 9:04:38 PM
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