Jeff Foster
DemocraticQ1 America has a growing artificial intelligence (AI) industry, supporting cutting edge innovation and reshaping businesses, but raising concerns about education, ownership, and security. Application of AI technology has increased the demand placed on data centers, controversial for their resource use (such as water and land) and raising utility costs. What are your policy positions in regards to data centers and AI? What sources of evidence informed these positions?
Generative artificial intelligence must be regulated to ensure content is factual, preserves personal privacy, conforms to ethical standards, has built-in guardrails, and is human-controllable. Data centers must be environment-friendly for land, water, noise, and light; produce its own green energy, and rely on their own resources for development, construction, and taxes. These policies are based on actual performance and projections by informed scientists as reported in respected print and broadcast media..
KEYWORDS: Regulation, protection, accountability.
Q2 Making the US competitive in the bioeconomy (using technology applied to renewable biological resources to produce food, energy and industrial goods) requires innovation and investments in business, academia and government. Please describe policies you will support, if any, that relate to workforce development in Wisconsin’s strengths such as agriculture, biotechnology, and energy; and explain their rationale.
The Universities of Wisconsin system has been a bastion of research and innovation, especially in agriculture, including biotechnology. It has committed to fusion energy experimentation and development. These pursuits have produced many private companies that employ Wisconsin residents. I support state funding for research and start-up loans for spin-off companies utilizing proven innovation.
KEYWORDS: Research, innovation, investment.
Q3 Wisconsin’s public K-12 education systems have seen a significant decline in the past two decades, with more than 600 public schools closing and statewide student enrollment dropping 7%. These impacts have been especially pronounced in Wisconsin’s many rural counties, where opportunities for STEM education are already fewer. What policies, if any, would you support to improve K-12 education for students across Wisconsin?
Fully-funded public schools will reduce inequities faced by rural school districts. Phasing out the voucher system will concentrate resources to a single constitutionally mandated public education system. Expanding hands-on STEM education to all age groups. Fully funding quality childcare will prepare children for a lifetime of learning.
KEYWORDS: Fully-funded, hands-on, childcare.
Q5 If elected, in what capacities would you refer to scientists when you are deciding how to vote on a policy?
I would refer to scientific journals, opinion pieces by respected experts, and personal consultation with University professors.
KEYWORDS: Journals, experts, consultation.
Q7 Wisconsin has faced an increasing number of infectious disease outbreaks in recent years, for instance with rising numbers of measles and avian influenza cases that threaten human health and agricultural industry, respectively. What policies, if any, would you support to manage the burden of infectious disease in the state and respond to future outbreaks?
I would reduce the variety of exemptions available to parents for child school enrollment. I would encourage a multi-media public education campaign that stresses the effectiveness of vaccines and our shared responsibility for safety.
KEYWORDS: Exemptions, education, responsibility