In New York’s 12th Congressional District, artificial intelligence has become a major campaign issue, particularly around the influence of AI firms like Palantir. Two Democratic candidates are running on sharply different visions: Cameron Kasky, a Parkland shooting survivor, is framing himself as a fighter against “AI oligarchs,” while Alex Bores, a former Palantir employee, is championing stronger AI regulation.
Kasky’s campaign warns of the societal harms of generative AI — from environmental impact to job displacement to its effects on children who rely on it for companionship. He argues that unchecked AI could worsen cognitive decline and dilute critical thinking. Meanwhile, Bores supports a bill called the RAISE Act, which would regulate AI more aggressively; his push has sparked backlash from a pro-AI super PAC funded by major tech figures, accusing him of stifling innovation.
The showdown isn’t just ideological — it’s a clash of power and influence. AI firms and venture capitalists are actively intervening in the race, underscoring how deeply the tech sector is embedded in political strategy. And Bores’s Palantir background makes him a lightning rod for critics who fear such companies will use lax oversight to entrench their dominance.
