Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed has stated he believes public control of major artificial intelligence companies should go further than proposals put forth by Senator Bernie Sanders. El-Sayed, speaking on the "Head in the Office" podcast on June 12, argued for "some system of public control" over the industry.
While agreeing with the need for public ownership, El-Sayed emphasized the necessity of public control, suggesting it as a mechanism to address potential existential risks posed by AI. He proposed that such control could manifest through public representation on corporate boards or the establishment of a public oversight body. "What is the point of democracy if it’s not to protect us from existential risk?" El-Sayed asked, noting the current lack of regulation in the AI sector. He stressed the importance of democratic oversight over the industry and the need for leaders who understand technological risks and are not influenced by the AI industry.
El-Sayed's comments come amid broader discussions within the Democratic Party regarding the extent of socialist-leaning economic policies. Some prominent Democrats have recently pushed back against the notion that the party's progressive wing advocates for government seizure of the means of production. For instance, Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., suggested that young socialists are typically seeking greater equality and opportunity rather than traditional Marxist concepts.
However, other figures within the movement have used more direct language. El-Sayed has previously been compared to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. His remarks on AI policy are drawing renewed attention as he campaigns for a statewide Senate seat, reflecting a broader debate about the economic platform of democratic socialists within the party.