Story perspectives

New Yorkers Clash Over AI Control at Church Forum

3/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

On March 19, 2026, about 75 New Yorkers gathered at St. Michael’s Church to discuss AI’s rapid development and its wealth concentration and power implications.
The event was organized by Humans First, a grassroots group seeking democratic control over AI technology.
Attendees included conservatives and progressives, signaling an ideological clash over AI regulation.
David Sacks, the White House AI czar, labeled Humans First a "censorship power play."

History

Historical Context

The Sherman Antitrust Act, passed in 1890, aimed to dismantle monopolies like Standard Oil, which controlled over 90% of the oil market. This legislation emerged from concerns about economic power concentration, a theme echoed today as discussions on AI governance reflect similar anxieties about wealth and power dynamics. Effective regulation remains crucial for ensuring democratic control and economic equity in evolving technologies.

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Story summary

On March 19, 2026, about 75 New Yorkers gathered at St. Michael’s Church to discuss AI’s rapid development and its wealth concentration and power implications.
The event was organized by Humans First, a grassroots group seeking democratic control over AI technology.
Attendees included conservatives and progressives, signaling an ideological clash over AI regulation.
David Sacks, the White House AI czar, labeled Humans First a "censorship power play."

1 / 2