Congresswoman Erin Houchin on AI safety regulation and data center concerns

Host Jayson Manship explores the intersection of technology and politics on this episode of the Authentic and Agentic podcast.

In the news segment, Manship breaks down a lawsuit regarding Instagram age verification, a standoff between Anthropic and the Pentagon over AI safeguards and the growing strain data centers place on local energy grids.

Manship is then joined by U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin to discuss her legislative efforts to establish guardrails and protect children online. Houchin outlines four bills she helped author, including the Safe Bots Act and the Reset Act. She explains the need to raise the standard social media access age to 16 and mandate clear warnings for AI chatbots that simulate human relationships or encourage self-harm.

The conversation also covers the global AI space race against China, the push for small modular nuclear reactors at Crane Naval Base to handle massive energy demands and how Silicon Valley CEOs are increasing their presence in Washington.