The Leftist Split Over AI Doom
wired ·
The American left is divided over whether AI policy should focus mainly on present-day harms or also address claims that advanced AI could threaten humanity. New York City’s Democratic Socialists of America criticized AI alarmism as a distraction from current abuses, prompting both strong support and backlash. Senator Bernie Sanders and other left-leaning politicians have embraced AI safety concerns while also opposing data centers and calling for broader regulation. Critics including Timnit Gebru and Rumman Chowdhury argue that apocalyptic rhetoric can amplify AI companies’ influence and divert attention from issues such as surveillance, job losses, and corporate misuse. Supporters of a broader approach say immediate and future risks can be tackled together, comparing the debate to climate activism’s focus on both current damage and long-term dangers. The central question for the left is therefore not whether to regulate AI, but which risks and policies should receive its limited political attention and resources.
wired