How AI Is Transforming Politics, Technology, the Media, and Beyond

In a world that is becoming increasingly fragmented, there is a common consensus that artificial intelligence is a remarkably disruptive—and at times, even harmful—force.

At WIRED’s AI Power Summit in New York on Monday, leaders from technology, politics, and media congregated to explore how AI is reshaping their connected realms. The Summit featured voices from the AI sector, a sitting US senator, a former official from the Trump administration, and publishers like Condé Nast, WIRED’s parent company. You can watch a full livestream of the event below.

“In journalism, many of us are equally thrilled and concerned about AI,” remarked Anna Wintour, chief content officer at Condé Nast and global editorial director of Vogue, during her introductory comments. “We fear it might take over our roles, as well as the roles of those we report on.”

Politicians provided differing perspectives on how to ensure AI contributes positively. Richard Blumenthal, the Democratic senator from Connecticut, emphasized the need for policymakers to glean lessons from social media, establishing appropriate safeguards regarding copyright infringement and other significant issues before AI inflicts further harm. “We want to address the perfect storm engulfing journalism,” he stated during a dialogue with WIRED global editorial director Katie Drummond.

In another discussion, Dean Ball, a senior fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation and a co-author of the Trump administration’s AI Action Plan, advocated for the regulatory framework outlined in that policy document. He asserted that it introduced more regulations regarding AI risks than any preceding government has proposed.

Voices from the AI sector also projected an optimistic outlook on AI’s influence, claiming it would foster economic growth and not be implemented recklessly.