Ads Ignite Hypocrisy Charge in Tight Primary Race (Image Credits: Images.fastcompany.com)
New York’s 12th Congressional District – Political advertisements have flooded airwaves for weeks, targeting Democratic candidate Alex Bores by linking his past at Palantir to the company’s controversial contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Ads Ignite Hypocrisy Charge in Tight Primary Race
Think Big, a group promoting pro-AI Democratic candidates, unleashed the spots accusing Bores of profiting from technology that aided ICE operations. The messaging portrays him as evading responsibility for earnings tied to federal enforcement tools. Viewers hear claims that his innovations empowered agency actions in local communities. Bores, a New York State Assembly member, seeks the Democratic nomination in the district covering Manhattan’s affluent Upper West and Upper East Sides.
Winning the primary virtually ensures victory in the general election given the area’s strong Democratic lean. Bores has highlighted his tech experience on the trail while distancing himself from Palantir’s government work. He departed the firm seven years ago, citing unease with an ICE contract renewal. Campaign officials maintain he never contributed to that project directly.
Tech Titans Behind the Super PAC Push
Leading the Future, the Super PAC bankrolling Think Big, drew support from prominent figures in AI and venture capital. Federal Election Commission filings list contributions from Palantir cofounder Joe Lonsdale via Lonsdale Enterprises. Other backers include OpenAI cofounder Greg Brockman, investors Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, and AI firm Perplexity. A press release from the group outlined its mission to bolster U.S. AI dominance.
These donors have histories of funding Republican efforts alongside Democratic ones. Super PACs like Leading the Future raise unlimited funds but cannot coordinate directly with campaigns. Traditional PACs in the network, such as American Mission, face donation caps yet support candidates. Lonsdale’s involvement has drawn particular scrutiny given his Palantir ties.
Bores Counters with AI Safety Focus
Bores frames the attacks as retaliation for his advocacy on AI oversight. He cosponsored New York’s RAISE Act, signed into law last year by Governor Kathy Hochul, which mandates safety protocols for advanced AI models. Federal legislation along similar lines remains a priority if elected. “The cofounder of Palantir started a Super PAC that is lying to New Yorkers about my work and the fact that I quit seven years ago over the ICE contract they continue to profit off of to this day,” Bores stated.
Josh Vlasto of Leading the Future responded in an email: “Leading the Future will aggressively oppose policymakers and candidates in states across the country who play political games with the future of American leadership and jeopardize American workers’, families’, and communities’ ability to benefit from AI innovation and growth.” Bores’ team issued a cease-and-desist to the PAC. Some Palantir staff have donated to his bid despite the controversy.
Internal Ripples at Palantir Over ICE Contracts
Palantir employees expressed frustration with the ads, viewing them as distortions of company history and Bores’ role. Current and former staff told reporters the campaign overlooked shifts in Palantir’s ICE approach post-Bores. Internal debates persist on government deals, including ImmigrationOS for deportations and an AI-supported tip line. CEO Alex Karp recently addressed employee queries in a video amid heightened scrutiny.
Criticism of Palantir extends beyond this race. Elected officials in Colorado redirected Palantir-linked donations to immigrant groups. New York City finance watchdogs seek human rights reviews of pension investments in the firm. Employees maintain a Slack channel tracking the ads, highlighting unease with a cofounder’s role in amplifying federal contract backlash.
Key Takeaways
- A pro-AI Super PAC backed by Palantir’s Joe Lonsdale targets Bores over past employment.
- Bores pushes AI safety laws, left Palantir citing ICE concerns seven years ago.
- Palantir staff decry ads as misrepresentation amid ongoing internal debates on contracts.
This clash underscores tensions between tech innovation, regulation, and government partnerships. As Bores navigates the primary, the episode reveals fault lines in Silicon Valley’s political influence. What implications do these dynamics hold for AI policy in Congress? Share your thoughts in the comments.
