# The first AI election is here Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbi1zBmR7yg Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/vbi1zBmR7yg Generated: 2026-03-08T19:04:10.132+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The political landscape surrounding AI regulation is highly polarized, featuring two distinct ideological camps: one advocating for cautious, potentially restrictive measures exemplified by Democratic candidate Alex Bores and companies like Anthropic, and another pushing for deregulation and unfettered growth, backed by Republican-aligned figures and entities like MAGA Inc. and the Think Big PAC. The video details the financial and political connections between these two sides, highlighting how figures from both the crypto world (like Sam Bankman-Fried) and established tech/political circles are funding groups advocating for vastly different regulatory futures for AI. **Key Points:** - Democratic candidate Alex Bores is associated with groups like 'Jobs and Democracy' and 'Dream NYC', advocating for AI regulation that includes safety reviews and state-level oversight, contrasting with the deregulation push. - The 'Think Big' PAC, which supports Bores, is linked to Anthropic, which in turn has connections to figures like Sam Bankman-Fried and Dario Amodei, who have expressed concerns about unchecked AI development. - The opposing side, represented by 'MAGA Inc.' and the 'Tools for Humanity' group, is linked to figures like Donald Trump, Ben Horowitz, and Marc Andreessen, advocating for a 'minimally burdensome national standard' that prevents state laws and favors deregulation. - The 'Leading the Future' group, which includes OpenAI leaders like Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, is shown to be funded by both sides of the political spectrum, including $12.5 million donations from Greg and Anna Brockman to MAGA Inc. - The video highlights the financial influence of crypto figures like Sam Bankman-Fried (an early investor in Anthropic) and Joe Lonsdale (co-founder of Palantir and 8VC) across these opposing political/AI ecosystems. - The political divide is underscored by contrasting viewpoints: Anthropic's former president, Daniela Amodei, suggests a philosophical utilitarian approach, while conservative groups advocate for policies that promote AI growth and limit state intervention. ![Screenshot at 00:00: The video opens by showing a yearbook photo of Alex Bores, the central political figure whose campaign financing and policy alignment are being dissected.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vbi1zBmR7yg/00-00-00.jpg) **Context:** This video analyzes the complex web of financial and political influence shaping the debate over artificial intelligence regulation in the United States, particularly focusing on the 2024/2025 election cycle. The analysis centers on two opposing camps: one favoring regulation, safety, and state oversight (represented by figures like Alex Bores and Anthropic), and another favoring deregulation and market-driven growth (represented by MAGA-aligned groups and venture capitalists like those from a16z). The video uses a visual network map to trace the funding and associations between key political candidates, AI companies, think tanks, and major donors. ## Detailed Analysis The video dissects the political landscape surrounding AI regulation, revealing a deep conflict between two major ideological fronts concerning the future of AI governance. One front, associated with Democratic candidate Alex Bores (NY Assemblymember for District 73), advocates for robust safety measures and state-level regulation, evidenced by his support from 'Jobs and Democracy' and 'Dream NYC' PACs, and Anthropic's reported focus on safety. Bores's AI Policy Framework emphasizes giving Americans 'Power, Protection, and a Stake in the AI Economy.' Conversely, the opposing front, heavily funded by the 'Think Big' PAC and 'MAGA Inc.', champions deregulation, citing a desire for 'one smart national policy that sets clear standards for safe AI' while opposing state regulations and export controls. This conservative-aligned group is backed by major figures from the crypto and venture capital world, including Elon Musk, Ben Horowitz, and Marc Andreessen, many of whom also fund 'Leading the Future,' a group central to the tech ecosystem that received $12.5 million donations from OpenAI co-founders Greg and Anna Brockman. The video details how these two ideological camps—one focused on safety/regulation (linked to Anthropic/Effective Altruism figures like Amanda Askell) and the other on unchecked growth/deregulation (linked to Trump-aligned donors)—are battling for influence over the direction of AI policy, suggesting that the upcoming election cycle will be heavily defined by this conflict. ### Political Divide - Alex Bores (Democrat, NY-12) supports regulation via 'Jobs and Democracy' and 'Dream NYC' - Opposing side, backed by 'Think Big' PAC and 'MAGA Inc.', advocates for deregulation and clear federal standards. ### Anthropic's Political Connections - Associated with figures like Daniel Ziegler (Anthropic employee) and Amanda Askell (who writes about EA philosophy), Anthropic's leaders (Dario Amodei) have expressed concerns about export controls to China, contrasting with the MAGA Inc. stance. ### MAGA Inc. and Right-Leaning Influence - This Super PAC, funded by nearly $300 million, supports candidates like Jace Yarbrough and is linked to figures like Donald Trump, Ben Horowitz, and Marc Andreessen, pushing for policies favoring AI growth (e.g., the RAISE Act's opposition to state laws). ### Leading the Future & OpenAI - This group, central to the AI ecosystem, shows connections to both sides, receiving significant donations ($12.5M each) from OpenAI co-founders Greg and Anna Brockman to MAGA Inc., highlighting complex financial alignments. ### Key Figures and Funding - The network map shows direct funding links, such as Joe Lonsdale (Palantir/8VC) funding 'American Mission' and 'Think Big,' and FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried's early investment in Anthropic, demonstrating the deep integration of tech/crypto money into politics. ### The Core Conflict - The debate boils down to whether AI development should be guided by safety/utilitarian principles (Anthropic/Askell) or market/libertarian principles (MAGA/a16z), with both sides heavily lobbying Congress to shape the regulatory environment. ![Screenshot at 00:00: The video opens by showing a yearbook photo of Alex Bores, the central political figure whose campaign financing and policy alignment are being dissected.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vbi1zBmR7yg/00-00-00.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:24: A negative political ad appears, accusing Alex Bores of hypocrisy, funded by the Think Big PAC.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vbi1zBmR7yg/00-00-24.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:34: A network graph illustrates the connections between various political and AI entities, placing Alex Bores between the 'Jobs and Democracy' and 'Think Big' groups.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vbi1zBmR7yg/00-00-34.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:17: A spreadsheet displays the text 'ANTHROPIC\\C vs U.S. Department of War,' illustrating the conflict between Anthropic's safety stance and potential DoD AI use.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vbi1zBmR7yg/00-01-17.jpg)