Tuberville discusses AI in classrooms, data centers and food safety - WBMA

Tuberville discusses AI in classrooms, data centers and food safety

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBMA) — U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville discussed a wide range of issues during a conference call with Alabama reporters Thursday, including artificial intelligence in schools, data center development, Coast Guard leadership and legislation aimed at keeping unsafe imported food out of the United States.

Tuberville: AI should be taught in Alabama classrooms

Tuberville said Alabama students should begin learning about artificial intelligence at an early age, arguing the technology is already part of everyday life and students need to understand how to use it responsibly.

ABC 33/40 asked Tuberville how AI instruction can expand while Gov. Kay Ivey is simultaneously studying the risks and benefits of screen-based instruction in Alabama classrooms.

"We've got to teach AI," Tuberville said. "We've got to teach kids in the classroom because they're going to learn it regardless."

Tuberville said AI education should focus on helping students identify misinformation while emphasizing ethics alongside technology.

"We want to make sure our students can tell what's fake and what's real, and that's what learning through these programs at a young age does," he said.

Tuberville also praised Ivey's recent executive order establishing the Governor's Commission on Screen-Based Instruction.

"Governor Ivey's executive order is a step in the right direction," he said. "We have to remember this: learn the basics first, learn the ethics first, because it could be used the wrong way, and that's what we want to do. We want to train our teachers, and then we want to start teaching in our schools at a young age. And every year, let them advance because AI is not coming. It's already here, and we want to be the leader in the state and in the country."

Tuberville outlines support for data centers

Tuberville also spent much of the call discussing data centers, saying they represent an economic opportunity for Alabama while acknowledging concerns some residents have raised.

"I completely understand the concerns many Alabamians have about these facilities," Tuberville said. "We have the same concerns here in Washington, D.C."

He noted that data centers have already operated in Alabama for years.

"But it's important for Alabama to know that data centers are already here. We have more than 20 centers of all sizes currently operating across our great state, with more being built as we speak."

Tuberville pledged that future developments should not increase utility costs for residents.

"My pledge, every single Alabamian is that I will protect Alabama from a single cent more in energy costs as a result of a data center moving to their community. Not one cent."

He said any future projects should meet three conditions: use recycled water instead of fresh drinking water, require developers to pay for electric grid infrastructure, and ensure tax revenue benefits local communities.

When asked whether donors or industry groups influenced his position, Tuberville responded, "I've got nobody backing me up."

He said he believes data centers can provide significant economic benefits, particularly in rural Alabama.

"We are really going to be excited to have them there because if you look at the tax money they bring in, just for the schools, it is amazing," Tuberville said. "Anything we can do to generate revenue, we need to do it, as long as it is safe, sound, and doesn't harm people."

Coast Guard proposal

Tuberville also highlighted legislation he introduced with Sen. Rick Scott of Florida that would establish a secretary dedicated to the U.S. Coast Guard.

According to Tuberville, the Coast Guard's expanding mission warrants cabinet-level leadership similar to the other military branches.

"Our bill would give the president the authority to nominate a secretary of the Coast Guard," he said. "Having a Coast Guard secretary would make the department more organized and even more effective than it already is."

Food safety legislation

Tuberville also discussed legislation approved this week by a Senate committee that would give the Food and Drug Administration additional authority over unsafe imported food.

"Currently, when the FDA identifies unsafe imported food at a U.S. port of entry, it often cannot order the product to be destroyed," Tuberville said. "Instead, the FDA has to send it back to the country of origin."

Tuberville said some foreign products are repackaged and shipped back through other ports.

"This is a huge health risk, and it is way past time to take aggressive action to fix this issue," he said.

His proposal, the Making Americans' Food Safe Act, would allow the FDA to destroy imported food products determined to pose a health risk at the point of entry.