Mamdani and AI industry flex political power in New York, plus more to watch in Tuesday’s primaries

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two opposing factions in the artificial intelligence industry square off in a Democratic primary for a U.S. House seat. New York City Mayor…

Zohran Mamdani, the New York City Mayor, is backing fellow democratic socialists in a Democratic primary for a U.S. House seat. Two opposing factions in the artificial intelligence industry are squaring off in this primary, with Google's new AI model being a key point of contention. The primary is set to take place on Tuesday, with candidates vying for a seat that could significantly impact the future of AI regulation. The AI industry has poured millions of dollars into the campaign, with some estimates suggesting over $10 million has been spent.

The outcome of this primary will directly impact the price consumers pay for AI-powered services, as the winner will have a significant say in shaping AI regulation. If the democratic socialists win, they are likely to push for stricter regulations on the AI industry, which could lead to increased costs for companies like Google and Amazon. This could result in higher prices for services like virtual assistants and smart home devices. The average household could see an increase of up to 10% in their monthly bills for these services.

The AI industry's involvement in this primary is part of a larger trend of tech companies increasing their political influence. In recent years, companies like Google and Facebook have significantly increased their lobbying efforts, with some spending over $10 million per year on lobbying alone. This trend has led to concerns about the influence of money in politics and the impact on democratic processes. Insiders know that the AI industry is particularly keen to avoid strict regulations, which could stifle innovation and limit their ability to collect and use consumer data.

The primary is set to take place on Tuesday, with the results expected to be announced by the end of the week. The winner will go on to face a Republican candidate in the general election, where the debate over AI regulation is likely to continue. A surprising detail is that the AI industry has been secretly funding research into the potential risks of AI, with one study suggesting that unregulated AI could lead to significant job losses, potentially affecting up to 30% of the workforce.