In a highly unusual and secretive gathering, leaders from across the political spectrum—from conservative academics to labor union representatives, progressive strategists to right-wing media personalities—converged in New Orleans this January to forge a unified stance on artificial intelligence. The meeting, organized by the Future of Life Institute (FLI), culminated in the Pro-Human AI Declaration, a document that prioritizes human well-being and agency over unchecked technological advancement.
The declaration is not about halting AI development, but about steering it away from dangerous concentration of power and exploitation. The signatories include the American Federation of Teachers, the Progressive Democrats of America, conservative think tanks like the Institute for Family Studies, and figures like Ralph Nader, Glenn Beck, and Susan Rice. This unlikely coalition reflects a growing awareness that the risks of AI are not partisan—and that the time for debate over basic safety measures has passed.
Why This Matters: The Power Shift in AI Governance
The urgency behind this alliance stems from the rapid consolidation of AI development in the hands of a few powerful tech companies. Unlike previous, industry-heavy discussions like the 2017 Asilomar Conference, this meeting deliberately excluded corporate representatives. The goal: to create a counterweight to Big Tech’s dominance, which FLI director Emilia Javorsky argues naturally prioritizes profits over societal concerns.
The move comes at a critical moment. Governments, including the U.S., are increasingly deregulating AI development, effectively giving companies free rein. This leaves civil society organizations, unions, and even religious groups scrambling to catch up and demand accountability before the technology reshapes society irreversibly.
The Declaration: Core Principles and Broad Support
The Pro-Human AI Declaration outlines five key guidelines:
- AI development must be centered on humanity first.
- Power should not be concentrated in the hands of the few.
- The well-being of children, families, and communities must be preserved.
- Human agency and liberty must be protected.
- AI should not be granted legal personhood.
Remarkably, nearly all attendees—even those with starkly opposing ideologies—agreed on these points. Joe Allen, a former correspondent for Steve Bannon’s show, put it bluntly: “If there’s poison in the water supply, most people are against it. AI is the same.”
Recent polling confirms this broad consensus. Despite partisan divides in voting habits, over 69% of respondents supported the declaration’s principles, with 80% backing the need to protect children and communities from AI-related harm. This suggests that the issue transcends political lines, tapping into deep-seated public anxieties about technology’s impact.
The Future: From Principles to Action
FLI is launching an ad campaign, “Protect What’s Human,” to amplify the declaration’s message. But the real power lies in the coalition itself. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, sees this as a “key demanding coalition,” capable of exerting pressure on lawmakers where individual organizations would fall short.
The challenge remains translating these principles into concrete political action. As Anthony Aguirre, FLI co-founder, emphasized, the declaration is a recognition of a new reality: the tech industry is no longer the only player. If governments fail to regulate AI responsibly, it will be up to the people—and their unlikely alliance—to force change.
The situation is already escalating, with Pentagon contracts being awarded to companies that previously fought over safety standards, and reports of mass layoffs emerging alongside increased surveillance. As Alan Minsky, CEO of the Progressive Democrats of America, stated, the public will likely side with those who prioritize human welfare over corporate profits.
This is not simply a debate about technology; it is a fundamental power struggle over the future of society.
