Lawmakers Find a New Legislative Assistant: Artificial Intelligence

Many members of Congress are now leveraging artificial intelligence, with Representative Mark Alford from Missouri sharing his positive experiences using AI for research. Alford, a former journalist, emphasizes the importance of citing sources and likens AI to a calculator in helping him prepare for hearings.

In a surprising turn, many members of Congress—often not viewed as the most tech-savvy group—are embracing artificial intelligence. It seems that AI is making itself at home in legislative offices, with some lawmakers claiming they can no longer live without it. Republican Representative Mark Alford from Missouri remarked on the practicality of AI technologies like Grok, stating it’s been beneficial for research. “It’s good for research,” he explained, stressing the importance of foundations in information. “Please cite your sources.”

Alford, who is also a former journalist, explained that having reliable sources is paramount in the information-sharing process. He likened using AI to using a calculator, “I’m not a mathematician, and I’m not a researcher either,” he commented. His recent experience with Grok involved prepping for a congressional hearing with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, showcasing how integrated AI has become in legislative workflows. “I’m hip, for a 61-year-old guy,” he joked, underscoring that he’s keeping pace with technological advancements.

The adoption of artificial intelligence in Congress reflects a shift towards modernizing legislative processes. Lawmakers like Rep. Mark Alford illustrate how AI can enhance research, even for those without a tech-focused background. While Congress might not always be seen as cutting-edge, this development signals an openness to new tools that could reshape legislative work moving forward.

Original Source: www.notus.org