Hustler Words – A super PAC fueled by Silicon Valley heavyweights like Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI’s Greg Brockman has set its sights on New York Assembly member Alex Bores, escalating the battle over AI regulation. Bores, who is also vying for a congressional seat, is the primary target of "Leading the Future," a newly formed PAC armed with over $100 million to champion a hands-off approach to AI policy.
The PAC’s objective is clear: to counter policymakers advocating for AI oversight. This puts them directly at odds with Bores, the driving force behind New York’s bipartisan RAISE Act. The bill mandates that large AI labs implement safety protocols, disclose critical incidents, and refrain from releasing models posing unreasonable risks. Failure to comply could result in penalties of up to $30 million.
"I appreciate their transparency," Bores remarked during a recent journalism workshop, welcoming the challenge. He views the PAC’s opposition as a clear signal to his constituents that he’s willing to stand up to Big Tech and establish essential safeguards for AI.
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Bores emphasizes that his constituents are increasingly concerned about the potential downsides of AI, ranging from the environmental impact of data centers to the effects of chatbots on mental health and the transformation of the job market through automation.
While Bores consulted with industry giants like OpenAI and Anthropic during the drafting of the RAISE Act, certain provisions, such as third-party safety audits, were ultimately removed due to industry resistance. Nevertheless, the RAISE Act has clearly ruffled feathers in Silicon Valley.
Zac Moffatt and Josh Vlasto, who spearhead Leading the Future, have publicly stated their intention to invest heavily in thwarting Bores’ campaign. In a statement, they accused him of pushing "ideological and politically motivated legislation" that would stifle innovation and weaken America’s ability to lead in AI. They argue that the RAISE Act and similar measures threaten American competitiveness, limit economic growth, and expose users to foreign influence.
The PAC advocates for a unified national regulatory framework for AI, claiming that state-level regulations create a "patchwork" that hinders progress. This sentiment echoes a broader push within Silicon Valley to prevent states from enacting their own AI laws.
Bores, however, argues that states can serve as "policy laboratories," experimenting with different approaches to AI regulation in the absence of federal action. He questions whether Congress is adequately addressing the challenges posed by AI and suggests that states should retain the power to act if the federal government fails to do so.
He is also collaborating with policymakers in other states to standardize legislation, aiming to address the "patchwork" concern. Furthermore, he believes it’s crucial to ensure that state laws align with international regulations like the EU AI Act.
Bores stresses that AI regulation is not intended to stifle innovation but rather to foster trust and responsible development. "The AI that wins is going to be the AI that is trustworthy," he asserts, rejecting the industry’s argument that government has no role in establishing that trust.
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