The inaugural United States presidential debate leading up to the 2024 election occurred on June 27 in Atlanta, and it stood out for various reasons. Notably, this debate deviated from tradition as it was the first televised presidential debate since 1960 to exclude a studio audience. However, it wasn’t just the absence of the crowd that caught attention.
Despite covering a wide range of topics such as immigration, voter perception, and the economy, the terms “artificial intelligence” and “quantum computing” were conspicuously absent from the debate. This is particularly noteworthy in 2024 due to the significant impact that artificial intelligence (AI) has had on the U.S. stock market, economy, and technology sector in recent years. Additionally, the next U.S. president will likely be the first to confront the theoretical “Q-Day,” which marks the moment when quantum computers reach sufficient power to break standard encryption methods.
AI has played a pivotal role in the success of U.S.-based technology and investment firms, with six or seven of the top ten most valuable companies globally specializing in AI products, investments, or services. According to a recent study by Bank of America, AI is projected to contribute over $13 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with the U.S. poised to benefit the most.
Given these significant implications, it is perplexing that the debate organizers and CNN moderators chose not to broach the subject of AI. Equally surprising is the fact that neither candidate mentioned AI during the debate. Even incumbent Joe Biden, at one point, emphasized climate change as the sole existential threat faced by Americans. While climate change is indeed a pressing concern, many AI experts also believe that artificial general intelligence, capable of human-level cognition, poses a similar existential threat.
Another notable omission from the debate was any mention of “quantum computing.” While AI has dominated tech news headlines in recent years, scientists believe that we are rapidly approaching a point where quantum computers will revolutionize banking, finance, logistics, materials discovery, scientific simulations, and more. Unfortunately, this progress also brings us closer to the possibility of bad actors and U.S. adversaries harnessing quantum computers to break encryption and steal sensitive data.
Cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, election security, deepfakes, and social media were also excluded from the debate discussions. It remains unclear whether the organizers deliberately omitted these technology-related topics. The only tech-related mention during the debate occurred when both candidates expressed agreement on the necessity of machines capable of detecting fentanyl at the southern border.
However, there is a possibility that the upcoming debates will devote more attention to technology and fintech-related matters.