Technology and the Future

What is the issue?

Technology policy addresses how new tools such as artificial intelligence, social media, and data collection affect jobs, privacy, safety, and national competitiveness. Rules often come from a mix of existing laws, federal agencies, state legislatures, and courts, because comprehensive federal legislation can lag behind new technology; readers should check current law. Debates include how to protect children online, how to limit misuse of personal data and deepfakes, how to secure networks against cyberattacks, and how to encourage innovation without unintended harm. Voters weigh free expression, safety, economic growth, and personal privacy differently, and expert opinions about future effects vary widely because the technology is changing quickly.

Topics: Artificial intelligence and automation · Data privacy and cybersecurity · Social media and children's online safety · Deepfakes and digital misinformation · Technology competition and innovation

What decisions are being debated?

How should artificial intelligence be governed?

New rules on safety, testing, and transparency, which may reduce risks but could slow development.
Rely on existing laws and sector regulators.
Encourage innovation and voluntary standards.

How should personal data and children be protected online?

Comprehensive privacy laws and age-based protections.
Industry self-regulation and parental tools.
Narrow rules for specific harms, with free-speech limits in mind.

How should the country handle deepfakes and misinformation?

Disclosure or labeling requirements.
Targeted bans on specific deceptive uses, such as in elections or fraud.
Rely on platforms and media literacy, given First Amendment limits.

What can government do?

Congress and federal agencies: Congress can pass technology and privacy laws. Agencies such as the FTC, NIST, and CISA enforce consumer-protection law, set technical standards, and support cybersecurity. Federal courts apply the First Amendment.
States: States have passed their own privacy, children's online safety, and AI laws, which differ widely, and attorneys general enforce consumer-protection law.
Counties and cities: Local governments set rules for school technology and public-sector data use.
Shared or limited authority: Federal and state laws overlap, and which rules apply depends on current law and court decisions.

Relevant elections:

U.S. Senate and House races: Congress can legislate on technology and privacy.
State election pages: States pass their own privacy and AI laws.

What evidence should voters consider?

Artificial intelligence (external site, opens in new tab) (National Institute of Standards and Technology; Official data)
Federal technical standards and risk-management guidance for AI.
Privacy and security (external site, opens in new tab) (Federal Trade Commission; Official data)
Explains the FTC's role in protecting consumer data.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (external site, opens in new tab) (CISA; Official data)
Federal guidance on cyber threats and defense.
Internet and technology research (external site, opens in new tab) (Pew Research Center; Independent research)
Nonpartisan research on technology use and public attitudes.

Where do candidates stand?

Candidate comparisons for this issue are not available yet. They appear only for races where each position is backed by a source we have verified. A missing position is not support, opposition, or neutrality. Candidate filings for every race are listed on the federal races pages.

Learn more

Congress.gov (external site, opens in new tab) (Library of Congress; Legislation)

Sources last checked 2026-10-17. Status: explainer written from the cited sources; not independently expert-reviewed. This page explains the issue and does not recommend a candidate.