# Big Tech Didn’t See This Coming

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofrzabbqZog
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/ofrzabbqZog
Generated: 2026-02-02T14:02:05.101+00:00

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## Quick Overview

Alex Bores, the New York State Assembly Member for District 73, discusses his successful campaign to pass a constitutional amendment for speedy trials despite initial political obstacles, drawing parallels between the AI race with China and the need for proactive, rather than reactive, policy design.

**Key Points:**
- Alex Bores ran a campaign for New York State Assembly District 73, which he won despite not being the initial frontrunner.
- Bores successfully passed a constitutional amendment in New York to guarantee speedy trials, a provision that did not previously exist in the state constitution.
- The amendment passed with near-unanimous support, with every Republican and one Democrat voting for it, though Bores notes that the process was fraught with lobbying and political maneuvering.
- Bores contrasts the state-level success with the federal approach to AI regulation, noting that big tech companies (like Google and Meta) are aggressively lobbying against state-level AI regulation, preferring a federal standard where they have more influence.
- He argues that the AI safety movement should focus on proactive design and public safety plans, rather than waiting for disasters to react.
- Bores points out that companies are spending heavily on lobbying to prevent state-level AI regulation, preferring a single, potentially favorable federal framework.
- The discussion highlights a key difference in approach: Bores favors proactive, early state-level action (like his speed trial bill), while tech lobbies push for federalism to slow down aggressive regulation.

![Screenshot at 00:52: Alex Bores, identified by a lower-third graphic as 'Alex Bores, New York Assembly District 73,' is shown speaking during his interview on the Andrew Yang Podcast.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ofrzabbqZog/00-00-52.jpg)

**Context:** The video features an interview between Andrew Yang and Alex Bores, the New York State Assembly Member for District 73. The discussion centers on Bores's background, transitioning from a computer scientist working in tech (Palantir, then startups) to entering politics, specifically focusing on his success in passing legislation for speedy trials in New York and contrasting that experience with the current political dynamics surrounding AI regulation.

## Detailed Analysis

Alex Bores details his transition from a career in tech, including working at Palantir and startups focused on making government more efficient, to running for public office. He mentions his background includes studying labor relations, inspired by his union-member father, and working on projects related to GDP measurement and seasonal adjustments. Bores ran for the New York State Assembly in 2022, a race that he won despite not being the frontrunner and facing an established incumbent who had been in office for 34 years. He describes how he won the primary despite being initially underestimated, noting that he had support from both parties and that his campaign was successful partly because he had a clear, actionable goal: passing an amendment guaranteeing speedy trials, which was successfully passed in June 2023. Bores contrasts this state-level legislative success with the current national conversation around AI regulation. He argues that tech companies are heavily lobbying against state-level AI regulation, preferring a single federal standard where they can exert more influence, citing the example of the recent AI Safety Bill which he felt did not go far enough and was opposed by major tech players like Google and Meta. Bores advocates for being proactive in regulating AI to prevent future harm, rather than waiting for disasters to occur, noting that the current approach of letting companies self-regulate or only offering vague safety plans is insufficient.

### Guest Background

- Alex Bores worked in tech for five years at Palantir and startups focused on improving government efficiency and GDP measurement before running for office.
- He was raised in a pro-labor household and studied labor relations in college.
- He was 31 when he ran for NY State Assembly in 2022.

### Legislative Success

- Bores successfully championed a constitutional amendment in New York to guarantee speedy trials, which passed in June 2023.
- The bill passed with near-unanimous support (every Republican and one Democrat voted for it), despite facing opposition from industry lobbyists who wanted to preserve the status quo.

### AI Regulation Discussion

- Bores critiques the current approach to AI regulation, noting that large tech companies are spending heavily on lobbying to prevent state-level rules, preferring federal action where they have more sway.
- He argues that the focus should be on proactive safety measures rather than reactive measures after a disaster occurs, contrasting the aggressive lobbying against state bills with China's more advanced regulatory posture.

### Concluding Remarks

- Yang praises Bores's effectiveness and persistence in passing legislation, and the interview concludes with Yang giving out his website and promotion code for Factor Meals.

![Screenshot at 00:01: Introductory graphic for the Andrew Yang Podcast, featuring abstract blue light effects and the show's logo.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ofrzabbqZog/00-00-01.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:20: Wide shot of Andrew Yang \(right\) and Alex Bores \(left\) seated in armchairs with microphones, with Yang's book 'Hey Yang' visible on the side table.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ofrzabbqZog/00-00-20.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:34: Title card graphic overlaying the two speakers against a digital background featuring the Capitol dome: 'FROM COMPUTER SCIENTIST TO CONGRESS'.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ofrzabbqZog/00-00-34.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:40: End screen graphic for the Andrew Yang Podcast, listing topics: 'GOVERNMENT EXPECTATIONS' and 'SPEEDY TRIALS', along with subscribe prompts.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ofrzabbqZog/00-00-40.jpg)
![Screenshot at 02:03: Alex Bores gesturing emphatically while explaining his experience advocating for the AI safety bill and its regulatory challenges.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ofrzabbqZog/00-02-03.jpg)