Peter Thiel Says US AI Backlash Is Self Inflicted Not Driven by China
- Investor Peter Thiel stated that the United States is largely to blame for its own growing domestic backlash against artificial intelligence, rejecting claims that China is driving the...
- Speaking during a conversation on Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner's MD Meets podcast, Thiel argued that domestic skepticism is a self-inflicted wound rather than the result of a...
- While acknowledging that he was inclined to believe China could potentially fuel anti-AI content within the United States, Thiel maintained that foreign actors are not the primary catalyst...
Investor Peter Thiel stated that the United States is largely to blame for its own growing domestic backlash against artificial intelligence, rejecting claims that China is driving the shift in sentiment.
Thiel Rejects Foreign-Psyop Narrative
Speaking during a conversation on Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner’s MD Meets
podcast, Thiel argued that domestic skepticism is a self-inflicted wound rather than the result of a foreign-led psyop.
Pushback Against Tech Industry Claims
While acknowledging that he was inclined to believe
China could potentially fuel anti-AI content within the United States, Thiel maintained that foreign actors are not the primary catalyst for the changing public mood.
Thiel dismissed that narrative as too simplistic during his interview ahead of receiving the Axel Springer Award in Berlin.
It’s often somewhat too easy to simply blame it on China.
Controversy Over the Vatican’s Stance
During the discussion, Thiel also criticized Pope Leo XIV’s AI encyclical published in May, arguing that the document’s anti-AI stance carries significant weight among American audiences. Thiel claimed that because Americans are more likely to listen to the Pope than to foreign social media posts, the religious leader has effectively functioned to advance Beijing’s interests.
The Holy See did not respond to requests for comment from Business Insider regarding the criticism. Thiel’s remarks coincide with broader skepticism among other technology executives who have questioned the Pope’s encyclical on emerging technology.
The Axel Springer Award in Berlin
The Berlin event where Thiel made the remarks marked his receipt of the Axel Springer Award. The honor recognizes individuals whose work leaves a lasting impact on business, society, or technological progress.
Previous recipients of the award include Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, according to Business Insider.