Conservative Conference Amplifies Anti‑AI Sentiment and Skepticism Toward Big Tech
Key Points
- NatCon convened leading MAGA‑aligned rhetoric on technology.
- Speakers portrayed AI as ideologically opposed to national conservatism.
- Concerns were raised about AI’s impact on employment, family values and faith.
- Big‑tech censorship and regulatory issues were highlighted as grievances.
- A high‑profile tech figure lost conservative support after controversial AI releases.
- Some participants suggested partnering with labor unions to shape tech policy.
- Overall sentiment favored tighter control and skepticism toward AI development.
At a recent gathering of prominent MAGA‑aligned conservatives, speakers voiced deep mistrust of artificial intelligence and major technology firms. A culture‑war panel featured Geoffrey Miller challenging Palantir’s chief technology officer over AI’s ideological alignment, while many attendees warned that AI threatens the economy, national security, family values and religious beliefs. Some participants acknowledged possible benefits if tightly controlled, but the overall tone was one of alarm and opposition, reflecting a broader right‑wing backlash against the tech industry.
Conference Atmosphere and Key Exchanges
The annual NatCon meeting, a hub for influential figures on the nationalist right, hosted a series of panels focusing on technology’s role in society. During a culture‑war discussion, a senior academic sharply criticized the chief technology officer of a leading data‑analytics firm, arguing that the AI sector lacks any ideological overlap with national conservatism. He described the industry as globally oriented, secular, liberal and transhumanist, suggesting it promotes policies that could undermine employment and traditional values.
The technology executive responded calmly, invoking the conference’s own rhetoric to defend AI as a uniquely American tool that could empower entrepreneurs and advance national interests. Despite his defense, the broader audience remained skeptical, with many participants expressing concern that AI could erode family structures, weaken the economy, and challenge religious convictions.
Broader Right‑Wing Concerns About Technology
Throughout the event, speakers highlighted a range of grievances against big‑tech companies, citing issues such as perceived censorship, algorithmic suppression, and regulatory frameworks like Section 230. The narrative linked these grievances to a fear that technology firms are out of step with conservative cultural and moral standards.
Several speakers warned that unchecked AI development might lead to what they described as civilizational decline, while a few acknowledged that AI could offer benefits if carefully regulated. The discussion also touched on the loss of goodwill toward a high‑profile tech entrepreneur after his company introduced controversial AI features, further fueling distrust.
In a notable moment, a panelist suggested that labor unions, historically opposed to rapid technological change, could become valuable partners in shaping future tech policy. This suggestion underscored the desire among some conservatives to forge new alliances to counterbalance the perceived threat posed by AI and large technology firms.
Implications for Policy and Public Discourse
The consensus at the conference reinforced a narrative that positions AI and major tech corporations as adversarial to core conservative values. Participants called for stronger oversight and a more cautious approach to AI deployment, reflecting a broader cultural war that pits traditionalist perspectives against rapid technological advancement.