Illinois Governor Pritzker: AI Calls for a More Active Role for Government

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who is running for reelection in the US midterm season, discussed the regulation of artificial intelligence, data centers and privacy on Decoder, a podcast by the technology outlet The Verge. He argued that government should be more active toward large companies and should stand up for working people, who often have no other protector.

Pritzker, who is 61 and was a businessman before entering politics, said he sees a generational and attitudinal shift, including within the Democratic Party. In his view, government has to protect taxpayers and the people most affected by technology entering their lives and homes.

Concerns about unemployment

On AI, the governor said it is potentially existential and certainly transformative for the economy. He is not convinced that large-scale job loss is inevitable, but he believes things are heading in that direction. By his estimate, if about 4 percent unemployment is now seen as acceptable, it could rise to 7 percent or even 10 percent in a short time. He therefore argued that people must keep the dignity of work and enough income, while noting that much of the benefit would go to very few people.

Competition between states

Pritzker acknowledged that states compete for companies and data centers with tax incentives. He named South Carolina, Michigan, Texas and Florida as rivals. Illinois tries to give away less in financial terms and offer more non-financial advantages, such as a concierge who guides a company through permitting without lowering standards.

He added that leveling the playing field could also be considered at the federal level.

The conversation also touched on the Chicago Bears, a team in the NFL, the American football league. According to the governor, talks with the club and the league are under way to keep the team in Illinois, either in Chicago or in Arlington Heights.