As the United States hurtles towards a critical juncture in its relationship with artificial intelligence, a fierce 'AI civil war' is brewing in the heart of New York City's Democratic primary election. The battleground is the 12th House district, where a staggering $44 million has been spent by AI-focused Super PACs, with a whopping $21.5 million allocated to this single contest alone.
At its centre lies Alex Bores, a technology-savvy Democratic assemblymember who sponsored the 'Raise Act', a US state law requiring major AI developers to publish public safety plans. But his campaign has been mercilessly targeted by 'Think Big', an affiliate of the influential 'Leading the Future' network. This bipartisan Super PAC aims to back 'pro-AI' candidates and has injected $8.2 million into the primary, largely focusing on Bores.
'Leading the Future' boasts a formidable donor base, including venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, as well as OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman and his wife, Anna – according to Federal Election Commission data. This group advocates for a federal framework for AI regulation, arguing that state-by-state laws would create compliance headaches and potentially cede the AI development race to China.
However, 'Leading the Future's' aggressive campaign has sparked a counter-offensive from Super PACs pushing for more robust AI safeguards. These include 'You Can Push Back', funded by crypto billionaire Chris Larsen, and 'Jobs and Democracy', a Democrat-focused subsidiary of 'Public First'. Founded by former Democratic congressman Brad Carson, 'Public First' boasts a publicly announced £15.7 million ($20 million) contribution from the artificial intelligence company Anthropic – which has positioned itself as a proponent of responsible AI development, even suggesting a 'temporary pause' on some advancements.
Combined, these tech-funded PACs have spent an estimated $11 million in the NY-12 race to counter 'Leading the Future's' messaging. Their ads have accused 'rightwing billionaires' of attempting to 'buy' the seat, while portraying Bores as a champion of AI regulation. This dynamic has transformed the primary into what Carson describes as an 'AI civil war', with Bores framing the contest as a referendum on the ability to regulate AI effectively.
The outcome of this high-stakes battle will have far-reaching implications beyond New York's borders, significantly influencing the US's approach to AI regulation – and potentially setting a precedent for other countries, including the UK. As the world's tech giants continue to shape the global landscape, Britain must remain vigilant about the impact of these developments on its own economy and security.