The tension between the technology sector and populist movements was palpable during the opening day of NatCon 5, the annual conference for prominent supporters of the MAGA agenda. At the conclusion of a panel on cultural issues titled “The Need for Heroism,” a confrontation arose involving Geoffrey Miller, a psychology professor from the University of New Mexico, and panelist Shyam Sankar, the chief technology officer of Palantir.
Miller challenged Sankar’s perspective on the AI industry’s alignment with national conservatism. Earlier that day, during his own panel discussion, Miller had asserted that the technological elite are “betrayers of our species” and called for a more aggressive stance towards AI developers. He described the AI sector as predominantly globalist and liberal, accusing it of aiming for mass unemployment and a new societal order that undermines traditional values.
If you threw a rock down the Westin Hotel hallway, you had a high chance of hitting someone who contributed to Project 2025
In response, Sankar appealed to the language favored by the attendees, arguing that Silicon Valley’s secular culture has filled a “God-shaped hole” rather than dismiss traditional values. Nonetheless, Sankar appeared to be among the few in attendance with a favorable interpretation of the tech sector. The event seemed dominated by influential figures from the Trump administration and a dichotomy emerged around two prevailing concerns: potential shifts in Republican support for Israel and the perceived existential threats of advancing technology.
In previous years, the tech sector had aligned with populist conservatives, particularly during Trump’s rise to power. However, this year’s NatCon indicated a fracture between these factions. Vice President JD Vance attempted to reconcile their differences but the discussions highlighted fundamental disagreements.
Almost half of the panels at the conference examined technology’s impact, addressing concerns about its effects on children’s development, the economy, and national security. The discussions reflected a growing fear that technology undermines not only the economy but also the cultural and religious foundations integral to conservative values.
Others claimed that further AI development would lead to ‘civilizational suicide’
The perspectives shared revealed a stark divergence: some acknowledged that AI could offer societal benefits if utilized properly, while many expressed alarm that further advancements might spell disaster for civilization. Regardless, a pervasive mistrust of the tech sector was evident in nearly all discussions.
Concerns about China’s advancements in AI were insufficient to alleviate this skepticism. In a talk, Michael Toscano from the Family First Technology Initiative articulated the message that U.S. efforts to compete with China could ultimately come at the cost of American values and well-being.
Various Trump allies, including Steve Bannon and Josh Hawley, echoed these sentiments, with some Trump administration officials criticizing Big Tech for perceived censorship that they believe has hampered scientific progress.
Dean Ball, a former advisor on AI policy during Trump’s presidency, noted that grievances against tech companies have grown from earlier accusations of censorship. He outlined various grievances, including algorithmic biases and content moderation practices that conservatives view as unfair.
Despite the decline in perceived suppression of conservative voices post-election, a pervasive belief continues that technology contradicts the core values held by social conservatives, ranging from family dynamics to ethical considerations of bioengineering and transhumanism. These issues were explored in detail during various panels at the conference.
Rachel Bovard, vice president of the Conservative Partnership Institute, underscored this cultural clash, stating, “Conservatism is about human dignity and human flourishing,” asserting that there cannot be a transhumanist conservatism.
Ball noted that the right’s AI antipathy was so deep that it had permanently exiled Elon Musk
This aversion to AI has led to a notable shift in sentiment towards figures like Elon Musk, previously regarded as an ally. After launching a controversial feature of Grok xAI that was seen as inappropriate by conservatives, Musk lost significant support among the right.
The animosity towards technological advancement was so intense that even the prospect of collaborating with labor unions surfaced. Toscano argued for finding common ground with unions, suggesting that their historical struggles against technological advancements could provide valuable insights.
In a conversation post-conference, Ball expressed concern about the prevailing views among attendees. He emphasized that constructive dialogue on technology needed to move beyond the current suspicions and animosities that frame discussions about tech. “You can have a very reasonable discussion about technological fixes if that’s really your objective,” he noted, but said it would be challenging if the overarching goal is to fundamentally oppose technology.
Sankar, representing a more optimistic view of AI’s potential for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, faced strong opposition. “The AI genie is out of the bottle — that doesn’t imply a transhumanist future,” he contended, proposing that AI could serve as a means for Americans to advance their ambitions.
However, by the conference’s conclusion, many attendees remained skeptical. Steve Bannon succinctly expressed this sentiment during closing remarks, emphasizing a cautionary view of AI’s unpredictable consequences. His remarks received a warm reception from the audience, emphasizing the depth of concern present at NatCon 5.
The crowd erupted in applause, illustrating the strong consensus among attendees regarding their apprehensions over technological advances.
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