A congressman wanted to understand AI. So he went back to a college classroom to learn

By DAVID KLEPPER
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Virginia congressman has gone back to college to study artificial intelligence so he can help regulate it. AI has been called an economic game changer, a threat to democracy or even an existential threat to humanity. Members of Congress need to figure out how to regulate AI in a way that encourages potential benefits while mitigating the worst risks. First they have to understand it. Lawmakers have created a task force and invited experts to explain how AI could transform lives. Democratic Rep. Don Beyer is taking it even further by enrolling in college to get a master’s degree in machine learning. Republican Rep. Jay Obernolte of California earned a degree in artificial intelligence at UCLA.