Elizabeth Warren, the progressive firebrand known for taking on Wall Street, has found a new research assistant: ChatGPT. The Massachusetts Senator, previously a vocal skeptic of Big Tech’s unchecked expansion, recently admitted to using the AI chatbot for information gathering, claiming it often yields answers “better than a straight Google answer.”

This admission, reported by Business Insider, marks a startling pivot for a party struggling to define its relationship with artificial intelligence. For observers in Nairobi’s “Silicon Savannah,” this American ambivalence is critical. When Washington wavers on regulation, the ripple effects inevitably hit the global south, influencing everything from the stability of Kenyan data labeling jobs to the safety protocols of software imported into our markets.

The Pragmatic Surrender

Warren is not alone in her contradictory embrace of the technology. Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, offered a starker confession to Business Insider: “I use it, despite the fact that I think it’s going to destroy us.”

This fatalism—using a tool one believes is dangerous—suggests a significant shift in the Democratic strategy. Rather than holding the line as the party of strict oversight, key figures appear to be surrendering to the inevitability of AI adoption. This comes even as they maintain a public face of regulation, with states like California and New York passing laws to curb algorithmic price-fixing.

However, analysts warn that this “do as I say, not as I do” approach risks ceding the populist ground. While Democrats attempt to appear pragmatic, they may inadvertently look nihilistic, leaving a vacuum that opportunistic rivals are eager to fill.

A Public in Revolt

The political pivot comes at a time when the American public is increasingly hostile toward AI—a sentiment that mirrors growing caution among African digital rights groups. Recent polling data paints a grim picture for tech evangelists:

• Economic Anxiety: An Emerson College poll indicates nearly twice as many Americans believe AI will harm the economy rather than help it.
• Environmental Fears: 46% of respondents foresee a negative environmental impact, likely driven by the massive water and energy consumption of data centers—a concern also relevant to Kenya’s own energy grid debates.
• Long-term Skepticism: Pew Research found that only 17% of participants believe AI will positively impact the country over the next two decades.

The Fracture on the Left and Right

While Warren and Murphy dabble with chatbots, the progressive wing of their party is digging in. Senator Bernie Sanders has proposed a nationwide moratorium on new AI data centers, echoing the concerns of local communities fighting infrastructure buildouts in their backyards. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has similarly called for bans, positioning herself against the corporate tide.

Meanwhile, the Republican party is undergoing its own schism. While the Trump administration historically backed Big Tech—signing executive orders to block state-level regulations—populist figures like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are pivoting. Seeking a post-Trump identity, DeSantis has proposed bills to protect citizens from “AI overreach,” effectively trying to outflank Democrats on the issue of corporate control.

For the Kenyan reader, the stakes of this chaotic US political landscape are high. If the world’s leading economy cannot decide whether to ban, regulate, or embrace AI, the resulting policy vacuum makes it harder for smaller nations to enforce their own digital sovereignty. As Washington’s leaders trade principles for convenience, the window for meaningful, globally coordinated AI safety measures may be closing fast.