Alex Bores, a former Palantir engineer and Assemblyman running for New York's 12th congressional district, is facing criticism over his previous employment at the tech firm.
The contest highlights the tension between big-tech expertise and the demand for strict artificial intelligence regulation in Manhattan. As Bores campaigns on a platform of AI oversight, opponents are using his history at Palantir and his current financial backing to question his motives.
Bores said he quit Palantir in 2019 [3] because he could not in good conscience work on projects for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This moral objection to the company's government contracts has become a central point of his defense against critics who portray him as a threat to privacy, and civil liberties.
Financial reports show a significant influx of outside money into the race. Outside groups have spent roughly 12 million dollars [1] to either support or oppose the campaign of Bores. Among these efforts is the Guardrails Alliance, a super-PAC that has raised five million dollars [2] to support his candidacy.
Bores said the attacks from his opponents are a coordinated effort to mislead voters. "It’s disappointing to see Democrats magnifying Trump mega-donor disinformation," Bores said.
The focus on Palantir continues to be a volatile issue in the primary. While Bores argues his departure from the company proves his commitment to ethics, opponents argue that his ties to the tech industry and the millions in funding from AI-linked groups undermine his push for regulation.
“I quit Palantir in 2019 because I could not in good conscience work on projects for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
The race for NY-12 serves as a proxy battle for the broader national debate over AI governance. By targeting Bores' professional history, opponents are attempting to frame technical expertise as a conflict of interest, while Bores is attempting to frame it as the necessary qualification for effective legislation.
