Memo: Walz-Vance Debate and the Hope for Hearing AI Policy Positions

On Tuesday, October 1, Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) and Senator JD Vance (R-OH) will take the stage at the vice-presidential debate, tasked with defending their running mates from criticism while positioning themselves as credible contenders for future leadership in the White House. 

The Center for AI Policy (CAIP) also hopes Walz and Vance will clarify their respective artificial intelligence (AI) policy positions.

News reports suggest this debate will be the final time any candidates from the two major parties will face off before the November general election.

It is critical to note that this is the first presidential election in which the winning ticket will be required to provide regulatory oversight on AI.

Both Walz and Vance have spoken about AI, but not in a format as high-stakes as a vice-presidential debate.

The moderators asked zero questions about AI or any other emerging technology in the debate between presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. This makes it all the more urgent for the moderators to put the candidates on record about their AI policies during the vice-presidential debate.

Read the full memo here.