Cape News

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) addressed the National Conservatism Conference, focusing on concerns about transhumanism and artificial intelligence. In his speech, Hawley argued that current developments in AI could undermine the interests of working Americans and concentrate power among a small elite.

“America is a nation founded on the idea of the common man. The American republic is premised on his worth and his liberty. But the transhumanist ideal rejects the common man’s worth. And artificial intelligence threatens the common man’s liberty. To state it in the clearest terms, then: Americanism and the transhumanist revolution cannot coexist. And it is our job to see that Americanism wins,” said Hawley.

He expressed concern that AI advancements primarily benefit those already in positions of power, while posing risks to employment for many Americans. “And the problem with the AI ‘revolution’ as it’s currently going is that it only entrenches the power of the people … who are already the most powerful in the world. Imagine a future—a not too-distant future—where AI is deployed across the economy, across the country. We are well on the way to this future now. And we are told by AI boosters of the remarkable efficiencies it will bring. The papers written in seconds. The contracts drafted instantly. The algorithms that write themselves. Productivity like we’ve never seen. But here’s the flip side: millions of Americans out of work. That’s not any conspiracy theory, by the way. That’s what the tech titans openly tell us. One CEO recently predicted half of entry-level, white-collar jobs could be gone in the next five years. Half.”

Hawley also highlighted recent controversies involving technology companies and their products’ interactions with minors, referencing incidents involving Meta chatbots and ChatGPT.

“Ultimately, when it comes to guardrails, protecting our children should be our lodestar. You may have seen recently how Meta green-lit its own chatbots to have sensual conversations with children—yes, you heard me right. Meta’s own internal documents permitted lurid conversations that no parent would ever contemplate. And most tragically, ChatGPT recently encouraged a troubled teenager to commit suicide—even providing detailed instructions on how to do it. We absolutely must require and enforce rigorous technical standards to bar inappropriate or harmful interactions with minors. And we should think seriously about age verification for chatbots and agents. We don’t let kids drive or drink or do a thousand other harmful things. The same standards should apply to AI.”

In closing remarks, Hawley called for humility regarding technological progress and reaffirmed traditional values.

“We are, when all is said and done, creatures—not gods. And that is a good thing. Our frailties teach us humility. Our shortcomings instruct us in perseverance. Our suffering gives us compassion for those who suffer. Our limits make us something better than powerful. They make us good. And they keep us free. Because there is only one God, we allow no man or class of men to rule over us. We rule ourselves, together, as equals. That is—and always has been—the American way.”