The 2024 election cycle is upon us, which means a slew of campaign ads, varied media coverage, and policy positions that could influence voters on who to support and how. Aside from the historic positioning of Kamala Harris as the nation’s first woman Democratic nominee for president, Michigan has its own historic slant with Hill Harper submitting his candidacy for U.S. Senate.
Harper, most known for his acting roles on shows like “CSI: NY” and “The Good Doctor,” has a resume beyond his acting credits. He’s a Harvard Law School alum, author, and small business owner. These on- and off-screen accomplishments have led him to receive many accolades and have also given him leverage as a potential senator.
He is committed to advocating for the rights of Michigan residents, with priorities including creating a robust economic community, supporting union jobs, ensuring affordable and universal health care, protecting reproductive rights, reducing student debt, addressing the climate crisis, enhancing public safety with sensible gun laws, and providing affordable housing. However, the 58-year-old understands how the use of technology and social media can affect his ability to advance his policy positions.
“I’ve attempted to use social media to engage with voters and the community to let them know and have an insight into what my platform is, who I’m engaging with, and what I’m actually learning from the voters,” Harper explained in an interview with AFROTECH™. “It’s been incredible, and I’ve been so happy to have that input level. The biggest challenge for me, quite frankly, has been that since I called for a ceasefire [in the Gaza war], the algorithm has participated in shadow banning, and that is shameful.”
While Harper is committed to reaching voters through various means, such as technology and a song he’s recorded, “Own Your Vote,” Harper is also cautious of technological advancements like artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential impact on voters’ points of view.
“There’s a true danger to misinformation, but we’ve seen it in many ways before with bots and dark money. I believe the best way to solve the problem is to end Citizens United and stop allowing dark money in politics,” Harper explained.
He continued, “That would allow us to stop placing digital ads that can be completely misleading or outright lies, particularly AI-generated. We have to have multi-layered levels to verify authenticity, particularly when it comes to politics.”
Although the misuse of AI in current political campaigns has caused some hesitancy in its adoption, it doesn’t stop its ubiquity and continued usage. Harper does not seek to avoid the intelligence, yet hopes to find solutions that offer proper education around its use.
“Just like any technology, it [AI] has the potential to be beneficial in terms of access to information, efficiency, and the ability to create,” he said. Harper also noted the importance of education, stating, “There are dangers of manipulation, which is why I believe education must always take priority.”
Michigan has not had a Black senator, and Harper is the first Black American Democratic U.S. Senate candidate on a ballot in nearly 30 years. His current position seems to represent a view that supports advancement while still having his potential constituents and their well-being at the center. A part of this begins with safety around the use of technology.
“I’m a fervent advocate for privacy and firmly against people’s data and information being for sale,” Harper explained. “I have no problem with for-profit companies innovating and finding new and different ways and new and different products to offer the consumer. However, if the profiteering comes from extracting the consumer’s data and information, then we must have safeguards.”
