Inside the secret meeting that led to the AI political resistance

The Future of Life Institute (FLI) organized a secret conference in New Orleans in early January, gathering about 90 political, community, and thought leaders from across the political spectrum, including union representatives, conservative academics, and progressive power brokers. The meeting, held under Chatham House Rules, resulted in the Pro-Human AI Declaration, a five-guideline document emphasizing that AI development must prioritize humanity, avoid concentrating power, protect children and communities, and preserve human agency. Signatories span major unions (AFL-CIO, AFT), religious groups, progressive organizations, and conservative think tanks, along with notable individuals like Ralph Nader, Randi Weingarten, and Steve Bannon. Organizers deliberately excluded tech industry figures to prevent corporate interests from dominating the discussion, noting that previous industry-heavy conferences like the 2017 Asilomar Conference had different outcomes. Participants quickly agreed on key points, such as opposing fully autonomous lethal weapons and AI legal personhood. Attendees felt that without government regulation, civil society must force the issue. A subsequent poll validated the Declaration's principles, showing overwhelming voter support across partisan lines, suggesting a broad base for this "pro-human" movement against the perceived flippant attitude of major AI leaders like Sam Altman and Elon Musk toward safety and societal welfare.

(Source：The Verge)