Democrats clash over big tech and AI regulation in Manhattan congressional primary debate
Democrats competing for a Manhattan congressional seat held a heated debate Thursday night, with candidates clashing over artificial intelligence regulation and outside spending. State lawmaker Alex Bores, whose AI regulation proposals have attracted significant spending both for and against him, became the primary target of attacks from rivals including Jack Schlossberg and Micah Lasher. The debate highlights tensions within the Democratic Party over how to regulate emerging technologies ahead of the June 23 primary for the safely Democratic district.
During a PIX11-hosted debate Thursday night, five Democratic candidates vying for Manhattan's 12th congressional district engaged in sharp exchanges over big tech influence and artificial intelligence policy. Alex Bores, a former Palantir data scientist and state Assembly member, faced criticism from opponents who argued his AI regulation proposals would actually benefit tech companies while making him beholden to industry donors. Micah Lasher pointed to spending by Anthropic supporting Bores and a crypto billionaire's $3.5 million contribution, while Jack Schlossberg, grandson of JFK, claimed Bores' regulatory framework would give tech companies excessive control. Bores countered that he was being attacked unfairly and framed himself as the candidate most threatening to Trump's megadonors. The debate underscored the outsized role of outside spending in the race, with three of five commercial breaks featuring ads about Bores, including ads both attacking and supporting him.
What's missing
The article does not provide details on the specific provisions of Bores' proposed AI regulation legislation or explain why tech companies would view it as beneficial versus harmful, making it difficult to independently assess the validity of the competing claims about its impact.
What different sources said
- ABC News PoliticsCenter
Democrats spar over big tech during debate for coveted congressional district in Manhattan
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