Steve Bannon: AI leaders "tried to cover up the danger"

Political strategist; former White House Chief Strategist

They tried to cover up the danger... what they want is to socialize all the risk [while keeping the] upside... What they're trying to do now with this whole phony, "Oh, we really should have some controls," all they're trying to do is to use a crisis and turn it to their advantage by creating a moat, a cartel.
Open source (opens in a new tab)Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon join AI skeptics at "Pro-Human" conference

Source and context

Reporting

Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon join AI skeptics at "Pro-Human" conference (opens in a new tab)

About this source

Live-blog coverage of the Sept. 15, 2026 "Pro-Human Assembly" where Bannon and Sanders both spoke; fullest account of Bannon's remarks, independently corroborated by CBS News, 10News, Washington Times, and BBC.

Before the quotation

Speaking at the "Pro-Human Assembly" conference in Washington, D.C. on September 15, 2026.

After the quotation

Bannon spoke alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders at the "Pro-Human Assembly" in Washington, an unusual left-right pairing both calling for AI restraint.

How this statement is classified

Condemned

Case context: Is Anthropic acting responsibly while advancing toward recursive self-improvement?

The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.

Why this label?

Bannon directly and sharply criticizes AI industry leaders' motives and conduct, alleging they concealed danger and are manufacturing a crisis to entrench a "cartel" — an express condemnation.

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