Alex Bores, the chief sponsor of New York’s bipartisan RAISE Act, is facing significant pushback from a super PAC backed by prominent figures in Silicon Valley. The political action committee, Leading the Future, is reportedly orchestrating a multibillion-dollar effort to undermine Bores’ campaign as he seeks to represent the state’s 12th Congressional District. Under this financial and political pressure Bores could have easily compromised, but he stands firm in his obligation to keep AI safe and regulated.
The RAISE Act, which Bores introduced, mandates that large AI laboratories implement comprehensive safety plans aimed at preventing critical harms associated with artificial intelligence technologies. Further, this legislation ensures that laboratories are held accountable to enforce their safety protocols. Furthermore, they should be required to proactively report any serious safety incidents that take place. Bores personally worked with AI giants such as OpenAI and Anthropic in crafting the bill’s language. This forward-looking approach helped maintain a delicate balance between encouraging innovation while establishing necessary protections.
Now, Bores is a strong proponent of AI regulation, but he doesn’t want to see it quash innovation. As he makes clear in a recent piece in Fortune, setting some basic ground rules can help spur innovation, not stifle it.
“Having basic rules of the road, literal or metaphorical, is actually a very pro-innovation stance if done well,” – Alex Bores.
He admits that increasing fears about AI are the opposite of his constituents. The data centers are driving a terrible increase in utility bills for residents and worsening climate change, many locals say. Parents aren’t the only ones worried about chatbots’ potential impact on kids’ mental health. They share deep concerns about the changes automation will impose on the workforce.
Bores has publicly emphasized that he is opposed to other regulatory bills that may unintentionally put a damper on the burgeoning industry. He is a passionate advocate for responsible AI practices. This commitment speaks volumes to his understanding of the ever-changing landscape of technology and its impact on society.
“I fundamentally believe that the AI that wins is going to be the AI that is trustworthy. And the pushback from industry to say that government has no role in establishing that trust is one that I think you’re seeing people reject at every level,” – Alex Bores.
Bores is hard at work personally courting lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and from all states. His goal is to write common sense legislation that will be adopted nationwide. He critiques Silicon Valley’s “patchwork” objection to regulation, emphasizing the need for cohesive policies that can effectively address the complexities of AI technology.
Given the push-back opposition he is up against, Bores has done an admirable job keeping his constituents up to speed on the campaign to unseat him.
“When they say, ‘Hey, we’re going to spend millions against Alex because he might regulate Big Tech and put basic guardrails on AI,’ I just basically forward that to my constituents,” – Alex Bores.
This sentiment strikes a chord with his supporters, who understand how essential it is to rein in a dangerously fast-moving industry. And critics like Zac Moffatt and Josh Vlasto of Leading the Future are rightly not mincing words. They say that the RAISE Act is a terrible and unnecessary example of legislative overreach.
“The RAISE Act is a clear example of the patchwork, uninformed, and bureaucratic state laws that would slow American progress and open the door for China to win the global race for AI leadership,” – Zac Moffatt and Josh Vlasto.