President Joe Biden's arrival in San Francisco for a series of campaign events has led to significant street closures and traffic disruptions in the city, echoing his visit in June. In his latest trip, between campaign stops Biden meets with the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), where issues such as artificial intelligence are expected on the agenda, according to the San Francisco Examiner.
Biden's trip had several noteworthy moments, including a show of solidarity with the striking members of the United Auto Workers union in Wayne County, Michigan, making him possibly the first sitting U.S. president to join a picket line per ABC 7 News. The President landed at Moffett Field in Mountain View on Tuesday afternoon, before heading to a private fundraiser in Atherton and later arriving at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, as reported by CBS SF.
As his motorcade moved through the city, major streets, including parts of California, Sacramento, Mason, and Powell, were closed off. Cable car routes and bus lines, such as the 1 California bus, were also rerouted, with the street closures set to last until 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
The President met with PCAST on Wednesday, and CNN reports that a $100 million funding commitment for health technology is anticipated, along with the preview of an AI executive order. This directive is said to examine the opportunities, and manage the risks, presented by AI technology, aligning with the goals Biden expressed during his June visit to the region.
With each presidential visit, substantial traffic disruption is expected in San Francisco. The city's downtown area is likely to experience even more significant disruptions in November when Biden and a host of world leaders are slated to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
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