"Culture Clash: The AI Debate Between DC and Silicon Valley"
A group of Silicon Valley's effective altruists (EAs) has influenced Washington's approach to artificial intelligence (AI), advocating for policies to prevent existential risks they believe AI poses to humanity. Backed by tech billionaires, these EAs are pushing for sweeping laws to align AI with human goals and values, including new reporting rules for AI models and restrictions on AI with biotechnology. Critics argue that EAs, often funded by organizations like Open Philanthropy, are distracting from AI's current impacts, such as racial or gender bias, and may be acting in the self-interest of the tech industry. Despite skepticism, the significant funding from EA-linked groups has given the movement considerable sway in the AI and biosecurity debate in Washington.