The DSR Network Siliconsciousness: Democrats Need to Get Their Act Together on AI
Mar 24, 2026
Rohini Kosoglu, policy expert and former White House official now focused on AI governance, discusses tech’s political shift and why Democrats lost Silicon Valley. She explores balancing pro-innovation messaging with consumer protection. Conversations cover federal versus state regulation, concentration of tech wealth and influence, youth anxiety about AI, and shaping a pro-growth, human-centered political platform.
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Democrats Haven't Articulated Pro‑Innovation Governance
- Democrats risk losing Silicon Valley because they haven't clearly framed pro-innovation governance that also protects consumers.
- Rohini Kosoglu says startups feel blocked by permitting and bureaucracy, creating perception Democrats aren't 'making life easier' for entrepreneurs.
Federal Inaction Creates Patchwork That Helps Incumbents
- Federal absence on AI regulation creates patchworks of state and local rules that can hurt scale and favor incumbents.
- Kosoglu warns big firms seek regulatory lock‑ins while the political system lacks AI expertise to craft solutions.
Tech Capital Concentration Threatens Democracy
- Concentration of capital in a few tech leaders risks political influence at trillionaire scale and deepens inequality.
- Kosoglu links rising billionaire wealth, weakened disclosure rules, and fear about disproportionate power and access.