The newly chosen Democratic candidate for a congressional position in Manhattan delivered a compelling message to the artificial intelligence sector during a rally on Tuesday evening.
Micah Lasher, who secured 39.1% of the vote against a competitive field of eight candidates in New York's 12th congressional district, directed his focus at the major tech corporations that invested significantly to influence the race for this reliably Democratic seat.
"I have a message for the two prominent AI firms that have shown an unusual interest in the outcome of this congressional race," Lasher stated at Jacob's Pickles, a well-known NYC eatery recognized for transforming pickles into a dining centerpiece. "When it comes to safeguarding our children and our jobs, I'm not taking guidance from you."
Lasher's critical stance toward AI companies was not arbitrary. Throughout his campaign, he positioned himself as a skeptic of Silicon Valley's demands for lenient regulations, highlighting on his website that AI has the potential to "displace workers, deepen inequalities, and threaten our environment and public safety." He has also voiced concerns regarding the swift proliferation of AI data centers and the increasing energy consumption associated with the industry.
The electoral contest in Manhattan unexpectedly became a focal point in the national discussion on how to regulate AI in Washington, revealing a divide within Silicon Valley itself.
The campaign saw millions of dollars pouring in, primarily through efforts to support or oppose Assemblymember Alex Bores, a fellow Democrat and former employee at Palantir who advocated for stronger AI regulations. Various factions within the tech industry rallied around different candidates and visions for the future of AI policy.
Bores departed from Palantir during Donald Trump's initial administration due to ethical concerns regarding the company's involvement in immigration enforcement.
Recent Federal Election Commission records reveal that Think Big, a super PAC opposed to increased AI regulations and backed by figures from OpenAI and Andreessen Horowitz, spent approximately $8 million to hinder Bores' chances. In contrast, entities advocating for stronger AI safety measures, including the Jobs and Democracy PAC, which has connections to donors from Anthropic and Adobe, contributed over $13 million to bolster Bores' campaign.
This clash occurs as New York steadily establishes itself as a proactive state in regulating the AI sector, particularly as data centers emerge as contentious issues. Lawmakers in New York State have put forward legislation that seeks to temporarily pause the granting of permits for larger data centers while their impacts on the electrical grid, utility expenses, water usage, and climate objectives are assessed.
Lasher is a cosponsor of New York's Responsible AI Safety and Education Act, which aims to implement safeguards on advanced AI systems and is the same legislation that made Bores a target for certain AI industry factions.
Neither Anthropic nor OpenAI, nor the Lasher campaign responded immediately to inquiries for comment.
