Rep. Seth Moulton and Sen. Ed Markey talked immigration, sparred over artificial intelligence and transgender athletes in their final debate Thursday night ahead of Massachusetts’ primary election on Sept. 1.
“I use whatever is inside of my iPhone or iPad, and I don’t know what companies my iPad might be using,” Markey said when asked about his use of AI tools like Claude or ChatGPT.
Moulton pounced.
“With all due respect, Senator, if you don’t even know what you’re using on your phone or your iPad, like this is why we need a new generation of leaders to regulate these technologies,” Moulton said.
After the debate, Markey defended his position, pointing to his legislative efforts to regulate artificial intelligence.
“An automobile, regardless of the make, needs seatbelts, needs airbags, needs brakes. Doesn’t make any difference what the make of the car is,” Markey said.
“The senator’s answer on AI is potentially disqualifying for this race,” Moulton replied.
The debate also addressed the issue of transgender athletes in girls’ sports.
When NewsCenter 5’s Sharman Sacchetti asked point-blank if transgender athletes should play in girls’ sports, Moulton went further than ever before with his answer.
“I think they should, with a discussion about where we have to have issues of safety and fairness,” he said.
In 2024, Moulton said he wouldn’t want his daughters getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athlete.
He has since said he’s sorry if those comments hurt anyone.
Markey said trans athletes should play in girls’ sports.
“They’re entitled to constitutional protections,” Markey said. “Congressman Moulton threw those kids under the political bus.”
This week, two polls came out showing Markey leading Moulton by double digits.
