My latest edition of When Politicians Do Good Things is about Rep. Jay Olbernolte. He is a California Republican, and he is considered an expert when it comes to Artificial Intelligence (AI). This post does not highlight any specific accomplishment he achieved, but is showing (and commending) his focus on an issue that will affect this country in the future.

When most people see politicians in the news, particularly Representatives and Senators, they see two types. The Congressional leaders, who mostly are trying to advance their party politically, and the rank and file members who appear on T.V spouting talking points with the occasional intelligent and original thought. It would not be surprising if most people think that all members of Congress either want to advance their party, or go on T.V. There is a lot of truth to that. However, there are members of Congress who want to craft bills that they intend on passing, and stay up to date on the latest policy issues facing the country. Jay Olbernolte is one of them.

Before Olbernolte entered Congress, he created his own video game company, and has a Masters in Artificial Intelligence. As AI has grown in prominence, his colleagues have turned to him to help them understand the intricacies. He recently gave an interview to Politico Playbook about the subject, explaining how it will upend the job market, particularly white collar jobs.

Rep. Olbernolte is proof that in the middle of all the bullshit that goes on in Congress these days, there are Representatives that are aware of, and care about some of the real issues of the day. Unfortunately, and this is something I’ve mentioned before, the news media (and consumers) focus more on the flashy and inflammatory over the meaty substance of real issues. Give the interview a listen, and comment on what you think.

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/10/pbdd-03-10-2023-00085930