Joe Allen, a self-proclaimed tech-Luddite, has been traveling the country giving sermons warning about the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). His speeches, writings, and media appearances are helping fuel a widening rift on AI within the American right that could pose a problem for President Donald Trump and Republicans in the coming midterm elections.

Allen’s Message Resonates with Trump Supporters

Allen’s anti-AI stance is now firmly in the mainstream. Many of his audience members are supporters of President Trump, but they don’t necessarily agree with the Trump administration’s largely hands-off approach to regulating AI. A June survey from the Pew Research Center found more Americans feel AI will be bad than good for society.

Allen’s skepticism would have been niche just a few years ago. But now he also travels the country giving sermons warning about the dangers of AI, striking a nerve with Americans who are increasingly worried about AI’s impact on their jobs, electricity bills, and mental health, as well as the environment.

A Bipartisan Concern

A bipartisan majority wants the government to regulate AI, Pew’s June survey showed. But even among Republicans, 61% are not confident in the government’s ability to regulate AI effectively. Allen leans into those sentiments, claiming that the ‘tech elite’ aimed to replace God with the ‘religion of AI’.

Steve Bannon, whose ‘War Room’ podcast helped elevate Allen to a national audience, said he knew early on that Allen’s words would resonate with working-class and lower-middle-class Americans and encouraged him to take his message on the road.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.