At a Glance
- AI leaders and former President Donald Trump confront each other over Greenland at Davos.
- ICE expands its presence in Minneapolis, sparking national debate.
- Pro-AI super PACs pour tens of millions into the 2024 midterms.
- OpenAI introduces ads in ChatGPT’s free tier.
Why it matters: The convergence of AI influence, geopolitical ambition, and domestic enforcement reshapes U.S. politics and tech policy.
Intro
At the World Economic Forum’s Davos conference, AI titans and former U.S. President Donald Trump confronted each other over Greenland while the U.S. immigration agency ICE swelled its presence in Minneapolis. Meanwhile, tech money is flooding the 2024 midterms, and OpenAI is rolling out ads in ChatGPT’s free tier-signaling a shift in the company’s business model. The episode unpacks how these threads intersect and what they mean for the future of technology, politics, and public life.
Davos Drama: AI Giants vs. Trump’s Greenland Gambit
The week-long Davos event brought together global leaders, business titans, and AI pioneers. Trump’s speech dominated headlines, as he declared, “I want Greenland. I want Greenland. Give it to me.” The crowd watched as AI companies, notably Anthropic, hosted exclusive parties. One guest was turned away at the Anthropic house with a firm, “You’re not on the list. Sorry.”
Anthropic’s political stance
- CEO Dario Amodei said, “It’s crazy that we’re selling chips to China. We shouldn’t be doing that.”
- Anthropic’s presence highlighted a growing trend: AI firms are becoming geopolitical actors.
AI safety under the spotlight
- The conference was a rare moment where AI safety was discussed openly. Anthropic’s cautious approach, focusing on the risks of advanced models, contrasted with other firms pushing the envelope.
ICE’s Minneapolis Occupation
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has dramatically increased its footprint in Minneapolis. Two weeks after the shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent, the agency now has over 2,000 agents on the ground, with plans to grow toward 3,000.
Key facts
- ICE’s expansion is a model of federal occupation in a city that had previously resisted the agency.
- Residents report helicopters hovering, detained volunteers, and a pervasive sense of surveillance.
Public reaction
- A recent survey found that support for ICE has plummeted in the wake of the shooting.
- Many citizens now see ICE as a federal police force rather than a local law-enforcement partner.
Midterm Money: Pro-AI Super PACs and Tech Billionaires
Tech money is already pouring into the 2024 midterms. The super PAC Leading the Future has raised over $100 million from venture capital, including Andreessen Horowitz, and is targeting races in Texas and New York.
Key players
- OpenAI’s president Greg Brockman and wife Anna Brockman are involved in the PAC.
- The PAC has launched television ads aimed at specific congressional districts.
- Elon Musk donated $10 million to a super PAC supporting Kentucky Senate candidate Nate Morris.
Broader implications
- Pro-AI super PACs reflect a shift toward technology-centric policy agendas.
- The influx of tech money raises questions about influence on electoral outcomes and regulation.
OpenAI Rolls Out Ads in ChatGPT
OpenAI announced that ads will appear in a separate, clearly-labeled box below ChatGPT’s responses on the free tier. The company emphasized that ads will not influence the AI’s answers.
Sam Altman’s perspective
- Altman said, “I kind of think of ads as a last resort for us for a business model. I would do it if it meant that was the only way to get everybody in the world access to great services, but if we can find something that doesn’t do that, I’d prefer that.”
Fidji Simo’s comments
- Simo, former CEO of Instacart and now OpenAI’s applications chief, noted that ads will only appear in specific contexts where commercial intent is detected.
Business model considerations
- OpenAI has 800 million weekly active users, but the company still burns significant capital.
- Ads represent a way to demonstrate revenue potential to investors ahead of a possible IPO.
User experience
- Ads will appear only on the free tier; paid subscribers will not see them.
- The format is designed to keep the core ChatGPT experience untouched.
Conclusion
The convergence of AI influence, geopolitical ambition, and domestic enforcement is reshaping the political landscape. Trump’s Greenland claim, ICE’s Minneapolis occupation, tech money flooding the midterms, and OpenAI’s shift to advertising all point to a future where technology and politics are increasingly intertwined. The episode highlights the need for vigilant scrutiny as these forces move forward.
