Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., said he didn't know what ChatGPT is until very recently. Clyburn made the admission in an interview with Vox's "America, Actually" podcast. A clip from that interview was posted on Friday. 

Remarking on how artificial intelligence is rapidly altering labor and the economy in the U.S., podcast host Astead Herndon asked the representative if he personally used AI. Clyburn said he never had. 

"Believe it or not, I didn't know what that was until about a week ago, ChatGPT, or whatever it is," Clyburn replied. Clyburn also said he's never visited a data center. 

Data centers have become a key issue. While the Trump administration has been supportive of the industry, sometimes fierce local opposition has resisted the building of new data centers.  

Herndon asked Clyburn how he could effectively legislate on the issue when he has such little personal engagement with the technology. Clyburn said he has a "great staff" and surrounds himself with knowledgeable people who can advise him on the issues. 

"I know how to build relationships, and I hire people to bring knowledge into the game that I can put to practice," Clyburn said.