Rep. Ro Khanna · 2026

Rep. Ro Khanna — Seven Principles for Democratic AI

Khanna articulates a middle path between Silicon Valley optimism and progressive structural critique through seven principles for democratic AI. As a representative of a Silicon Valley district, his position carries particular weight. He explicitly rejects Luddism while insisting on structural mechanisms that embed worker and community interests into AI governance.

Key Provisions

• Protections against mass displacement with humans kept in the loop
• Tax credits for companies giving employees a stake in AI-generated profits
• Worker representation on AI company boards, rank-and-file consulted on deployment
• Community benefit requirements for areas hosting data centers
• Worker input required before AI tools are deployed in workplaces
• Mandatory third-party verification of advanced AI models

Regulatory Philosophy

Worker-centered with market-compatible mechanisms. Khanna explicitly rejects Luddism while insisting on structural mechanisms -- board representation, tax incentives, mandatory verification -- that embed worker and community interests into AI governance. His approach is more market-compatible than Sanders' but more structurally interventionist than Kelly's.

Position on Analytical Frameworks