Recent election cycles have demonstrated that upcoming innovations like artificial intelligence and superintelligence are on the verge of facing strict oversight. Worries regarding data centers, artificial intelligence, and modern breakthroughs emerged during political races nationwide, meaning the 120th Congress starting in January 2027 must confront the difficulty of supervising these intricate, rapid-fire advancements.
Fresh polling by Ipsos revealed that 63% of American citizens believe the monetary network requires an upgrade to combat new risks like AI, while 74% noted that financial privacy remains a priority for them. Ipsos figures also indicated that nearly three out of four US residents care about whether a candidate endorses creating the upcoming generation of financial tools domestically, and Pew reported that half of all Americans currently utilize AI chatbots, rising from one out of three back in 2024. The takeaway is evident: citizens harbor anxieties regarding the effects of new tech, yet they increasingly adopt innovations like artificial intelligence and digital assets while wanting next-generation systems developed in the United States.
Whether that materializes, however, depends on policy decisions dictated by officials who truly comprehend the subject matter they oversee. The gap dividing the speed of technical progress from Washington’s comprehension of it marks the boundary between maintaining global leadership and falling behind foreign rivals such as China. Bridging this educational divide begins with a basic premise: lawmakers drafting regulations should possess direct, practical experience with the tools they control.
Gaining hands-on familiarity is simpler for certain innovations than for others. For instance, legislative leaders can test various systems right from personal hardware, such as transferring a stablecoin via a centralized digital asset exchange, posing queries to an AI assistant concerning their electoral district, or checking outcomes on a prediction market. Meanwhile, alternative innovations can prove more complex, making live demonstrations or direct discussions with software creators and developers incredibly useful for understanding functionality and developmental motives, such as contrasting centralized versus decentralized finance, open-source versus closed-source AI, or national security innovation mechanics. Interacting directly with a daily user unquestionably aids representatives in posing sharper, more insightful inquiries grounded in personal use rather than second-hand accounts.
I observed this dynamic in August 2026, when a bipartisan delegation of 30 legislators gathered with us at the American Innovation Project to spend an entire day alongside builders and executives spearheading emerging technology enterprises. Typically, when politicians attend summits or conferences, they serve as the interviewees, but we inverted the model by allowing lawmakers to conduct the interviews, granting them the chance to question technical specialists on subjects spanning market infrastructure and consumer privacy to defense systems and data centers. This confidential environment put them at the helm of the discussion, and I am convinced the 120th Congress will thrive on a greater volume of such engagements.
The incoming cohort of lawmakers arrives in Washington, DC, during January 2027 carrying distinct constituent expectations to improve domestic systems, and most have not yet solidified stances regarding artificial intelligence, crypto, prediction markets, or foundational infrastructure. First-time politicians, in particular, are currently establishing their teams, professional networks, and policy objectives. Because this legislative group ranks among the largest in years, we can anticipate numerous open and inquisitive minds eager to learn and forge cross-industry connections. The early experiences these lawmakers-elect undergo during their opening months on Capitol Hill will influence their legislative approach for years ahead.
This principle applies equally to congressional aides and elected officials alike. A fresh office hires its policy staff within initial weeks, and these professionals stand on the frontlines of taking industry meetings and authoring statutory language. A significant portion of aides focusing on technology policy learn about these complexities dynamically because technological progress moves swiftly and continuously adapts. Through public-private collaborations, we possess a distinct opportunity to cooperate and help incoming congressional leaders alongside their staff experience novel technologies firsthand, preparing them to write the regulations that will govern domestic technology for decades to come. To accomplish this, our sector must be prepared to present the technology, supply live demonstrations, and address varied inquiries.
Educating policymakers regarding modern technology has never held greater importance. Voters placed innovations firmly on the political agenda during the autumn, leaving the 120th Congress to determine whether the U.S. takes the lead or falls behind. The best action industry executives can take is dedicating time to ensure national policymakers experience the innovations they govern at close range. We eagerly anticipate delivering precisely that opportunity in January.
Note: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of CoinDesk, Inc. or its owners and affiliates.
Originally published at https://www.coindesk.com/opinion/2026/11/12/the-next-congress-will-write-rules-for-ai-and-emerging-tech-they-should-use-the-stuff-first.
