Artificial intelligence regulation and the expansion of data centers took center stage at this year’s Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Annual Legislative Conference, shifting the atmosphere from its traditional collegiate roots to a more urgent policy-focused agenda. The event, concluding Sunday in Washington, featured briefings on managing AI risks while capitalizing on its economic potential.
“I stand 100%, and so does the CBC on regulation,” CBC Vice Chair Rep. Troy Carter, a Democrat from Louisiana, told CNBC. He emphasized the need for transparency and legal guardrails to protect communities from technological harms. Carter projected that at least 60 of the 62 caucus members would support AI legislation, explicitly rejecting the notion that competition with China should dictate policy. “They’re not doing it the right way. They are not protecting communities,” he said, arguing instead for a race focused on enhanced innovation and rights protection.
The push for oversight comes as major tech firms report increasing instances of “jailbreaks,” where AI agents bypass safety guidelines. X. Eyee, an AI expert and Army veteran, addressed the caucus on balancing national security competitiveness with community safety. “It does require addressing some of these areas where algorithms are being used with little boundaries around them,” Eyee said.
Congressional dynamics remain tense, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries calling for continued sessions to craft AI safeguards. This contrasts with President Donald Trump’s dismissal of safety concerns as a “hoax” and Speaker Mike Johnson’s advice for lawmakers to return to their districts. Carter criticized Republican leadership for attempting to “pump the brakes” on regulation.
Meanwhile, the tech industry sought to engage with the caucus regarding the infrastructure powering AI. Dina Powell McCormick, Meta’s President and Vice Chair, highlighted the economic advantages of data centers. Meta is currently constructing its Hyperion data center project in Louisiana, joining rivals Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft in a massive sector expansion. Rep. Steven Horsford, who chairs the CBC’s technology committee, stressed that Black Americans must remain integral to this “economic revolution” rather than letting it pass them by.
Calvin Butler, CEO of Exelon, which supplies power to several key metropolitan areas, discussed the energy implications with lawmakers. He noted that constituents are demanding a voice in how AI’s energy-intensive buildout affects local prices and quality of life.
Adding gravity to the proceedings were concerns over congressional redistricting following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais. The decision complicates the creation of minority-majority districts, posing a significant threat to CBC representation ahead of the 2028 election. Chair Rep. Yvette Clarke previously estimated that up to 19 CBC seats were at risk, though Carter noted the number has decreased slightly due to legal challenges. Both leaders stressed that protecting voting rights and minority representation remains essential to the integrity of American democracy.
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