Overnight Tech: Lawmakers look at US edge in artificial intelligence | Walden favored for Energy, Commerce gavel | Tech reaches out to Trump

LAWMAKERS LOOK AT AI: Lawmakers and experts voiced concerns Wednesday about America’s future with artificial intelligence technology.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) warned during a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation subcommittee hearing that the U.S. could lose its spot as a leader in developing AI technology.

“Today, the United States is the preeminent leader in developing artificial intelligence. But that could soon change,” said Cruz, the chair of the Space, Science and Competitiveness subcommittee.

“Ceding leadership in developing artificial intelligence to China, Russia and other foreign governments will not only place the United States at a technological disadvantage but it could also have implications for national security,” he added in his opening remarks.

Experts on a panel expressed similar sentiments.

“I do think it’s important that we grow our AI workforce quickly,” said Andrew Moore, dean of the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University.

“We’re so short of experts here. Frankly, I look at some of the other major players, and China and India are pumping out major scientists that can do good work here,” he added.

He called the current hiring situation “unsustainable.”

Moore argued that not adequately addressing hiring issues could snowball and warned of national security problems if the U.S. did not continue to lead AI development. 

“This AI tech is available to bad guys too,” Moore said. “It is possible to set up homemade rooms in a bad way. Repressive regimes can now [use] face recognition tools. We need to stay ahead.”

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Please send your tips, comments and stray observations to Ali Breland (abreland@digital-release.digital-release.thehill.com) and follow us on Twitter: @alibreland and @HilliconValley. 

WALDEN LEADS E&C GAVEL RACE: Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) is the clear favorite to be the next chairman of the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee, according to a handful of GOP insiders who are closely tracking the race. Walden and Reps. John Shimkus (R-Ill.) and Joe Barton (R-Texas) — all senior members of the Energy panel — are vying to succeed current Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.), who is stepping down because of term limits.

But Walden, who has had two successful cycles as the House GOP’s campaign chief, appears poised for victory. As the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) chairman, Walden has campaigned and raised cash for many of the lawmakers who will ultimately decide Thursday who gets the prized Energy gavel. 

Read More: http://bit.ly/2fMEVVM 

PRESIDENTIAL INNOVATION FELLOWS PROGRAM GETS HELP: Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced bipartisan legislation on Wednesday to supplement the White House initiative.

“The Presidential Innovation Fellows program has furnished our nation’s boldest engineers and technologists with a unique opportunity to work with government agencies on providing more innovative and engaging services to the public,” said Booker. “By making this program permanent, Congress can ensure that government keeps up with the pace of innovation while fostering transparency, saving taxpayer dollars, and developing collaborative programs that work for the American people.”

UBER AND LYFT PRAISE TRUMP’S TRANSPORTATION PICK: “We have the utmost respect for Elaine Chao, an accomplished public servant and highly capable leader,” Adrian Durbin, a spokesman for Lyft told Bloomberg. Uber’s head of federal affairs Niki Christoff also praised Chao, writing that her “knowledge of transportation issues is extensive” and that Uber looks “forward to working closely with her.”

A ROSENWORCEL CONFIRMATION?: Lawmakers are closing in on a deal to reconfirm FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel reports Politico. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) expressed hope that issue would resolved by the end of the year, and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said that he’s very close to a deal with Republicans who have been holding up Rosenworcel’s confirmation. What FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler does next, resign or otherwise, is seen as key in Rosenworcel’s pending confirmation. Should she not be confirmed by the year’s end, Rosenworcel will have to step down from the Commission.

ON TAP:

The Innovation Alliance is holding an event on Capitol Hill on Thursday on closing the gender patent gap at 10:30 a.m.

Microsoft and The Internet Society are holding an event on internet fragmentation on Thursday at 3:00 p.m.

The Federal Communications Bar Association is hosting its chairman’s dinner at 5:45 p.m. on Thursday evening.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

A last-ditch effort from Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Chris Coons (D-Del) to stop an expansion of law enforcement’s hacking powers failed. 

A coalition of tech trade association leaders representing companies like Facebook, Google, Apple and Intel extended a hand to Donald Trump in a letter today.

Google, Amazon, Apple and a coalition of other tech companies want President-elect Donald Trump to appoint a Treasury undersecretary for technology.

House Democrats want a hearing on ransomware.