A new grassroots organization backed by tech workers and labor unions is advocating for greater accountability in the development and deployment of AI. According to TechCrunch, the Guardrails Alliance, a tech worker-backed super PAC, launched Thursday under the leadership of progressive organizers Shaunna Thomas and Leah Hunt-Hendrix.
“Our fundamental belief here is that people still do have the power to stop this autocratic takeover of the Trump administration and the tech sector,” Thomas told The New York Times.
What is the Guardrails Alliance?
The Guardrails Alliance, which identifies itself as a populist political organization, is speaking out against pro-AI groups such as Leading the Future. As part of its mission to highlight the potential harms of AI, the organization is supporting New York congressional candidate Alex Bores, who recently highlighted the story of a teenager who died by suicide after engaging in months-long conversations with ChatGPT.
Bores, who has faced criticism from Leading the Future, shared an ad highlighting the story of the teenager, Adam Raine. According to The Hill, Guardrails Alliance spent $250,000 in support of Bores.
Guardrails Alliance, which has raised about $5 million so far, plans to bring in at least another $15 million in the coming months. Meanwhile, Leading the Future has raised more than $100 million, TechCrunch reported. OpenAI President Greg Brockman has emerged as one of the largest supporters of Leading the Future. Other supporters include venture capitalist Joe Lonsdale, venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz and AI company Perplexity.
Who are some of the other advocates of AI safety?
Several other advocates of AI safety are also pushing for new legislation related to technology. Former Reps. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, and Brad Carson, D-Okla., joined the movement with the launch of Public First, a group that is supporting Bores. Another super PAC, You Can Push Back, is also backing Bores while advocating for AI safety.