Secret Gathering in New Orleans Sparks AI Political Resistance Movement

In early January, a diverse group of approximately 90 political, community, and thought leaders convened at a secretive conference in a New Orleans Marriott to discuss the future of artificial intelligence (AI). The meeting, organized by the Future of Life Institute (FLI), aimed to unite disparate political factions around a common cause: ensuring AI development prioritizes humanity. Attendees included church leaders, conservative academics, labor union representatives, and progressive power brokers, all brought together by AI thought leaders hoping to foster collaboration rather than conflict.

The outcome of this clandestine meeting was the Pro-Human AI Declaration, a document outlining five guidelines to ensure AI development remains centered on human interests. The Declaration emphasizes avoiding power concentration, preserving community well-being, and maintaining human agency and liberty. It has garnered support from a wide range of organizations, including major unions like the AFL-CIO, religious groups such as the G20 Interfaith Forum Association, and political entities like the Progressive Democrats of America.

Individual signatories are equally diverse, featuring figures such as Democratic presidential candidate Ralph Nader, AFT president Randi Weingarten, and conservative media personalities like Glenn Beck and Steve Bannon. The list also includes prominent business leaders like Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson and former National Security Advisor Susan Rice. More endorsements are expected in the coming days.

The meeting was conducted under Chatham House Rules, ensuring privacy for attendees. However, some participants shared insights with The Verge, revealing that the gathering was orchestrated by Max Tegmark, FLI co-founder and MIT professor. Tegmark's efforts to bring together such a varied group were aimed at addressing shared concerns about AI's impact on society, such as the ethical use of autonomous weapons and the exploitation of children's emotional attachments by AI companies.

This initiative marks a departure from FLI's previous efforts, such as the 2017 Asilomar Conference for Beneficial AI, which included industry leaders like Elon Musk and Sam Altman. This time, the focus was on civil society organizations, deliberately excluding corporate interests to prevent them from dominating the discourse. Emilia Javorsky, director of the Futures Program at FLI, noted that corporate influence often overshadowed other perspectives in AI discussions.

Anthony Aguirre, another FLI co-founder, highlighted the urgency of the Declaration, pointing out the increasing concentration of AI development power among a few major corporations. The Trump administration's deregulation policies further empowered these entities, leaving civil society as one of the few remaining checks on their influence.

The Declaration aims to inspire a "pro-human" movement, as described by Joe Allen, co-founder of Humans First. Allen emphasized that while no one can engineer such a movement, statements like the Declaration can inspire collective action. Randi Weingarten echoed this sentiment, viewing the Declaration as a strategic tool to unite various groups in advocating for AI policies that prioritize human interests over corporate gains.

As the movement gains momentum, its success will depend on the ability of these diverse groups to maintain a unified front and exert pressure on lawmakers to prioritize humanity in AI development. The Declaration serves as a foundational document for this coalition, aiming to inspire a broader societal shift towards responsible AI governance.