A report back from our conversation with Karen Hao

Thank you to all those who joined our conversation with Karen Hao about the Empire of AI and how Blackstone's ambition - to use New Mexico land, water, utility customers and energy resources to cash in on the artificial intelligence gold rush - could impact our communities and environment.

If there is one thing we took away from Karen's deep knowledge and important insights, it is that the apocalyptic vision of these Artificial Intelligence zealots is not inevitable. Despite a concerted effort to portray the future they envision as an unstoppable juggernaut - by throwing out huge numbers to stun opponents and divide through greed - people are increasingly alarmed by the implications of AI for humanity and the unethical exploitation of people, land and resources by AI developers. Momentum for regulation is growing across partisan divides, with Congress defeating legislative efforts to prohibit state regulation, and state and municipal limits on artificial intelligence and data center development spreading. 

We must hold onto that which makes us human - our connection to each other, to the earth and to the deeply felt drive to expand our capacities for knowledge, creativity and empathy. AI can be developed ethically in service of that humanity, but must not be allowed to replace it. That effort requires all of us.

NOW TAKE ACTION

Watch and share a recording of the event in Santa Fe.

Take action to oppose Blackstone:

• Sign up to make Public Comment about the Blackstone acquisition at PRC open meetings

• Commit to write a Letter to the Editor about the acquisition

• Register to attend Monday evening We Got Us meetings to stay informed about upcoming actions.