The Hill Discovers AI Doesn't Need Subsidies, Corporate Welfare Does
The mainstream narrative, as presented by The Hill, suggests that the booming AI industry is robust enough to forego government subsidies, allowing market forces to dictate its trajectory. This, they argue, prevents 'handouts' to already wealthy tech giants. It's a convenient sudden concern for fiscal responsibility, especially coming from a political establishment that routinely greenlights
billions in other forms of 'investment'. What The Hill conveniently omits is the selective outrage over corporate welfare. While they preach austerity for AI, they'll turn a blind eye to congressional votes that channel billions into established industries. For example, the same Congress that debates these AI subsidies voted for HR 815, providing $14 billion in military aid to Israel, despite
consistent lobbying efforts from groups like AIPAC. According to OpenSecrets, in 2023 alone, AIPAC disbursed over $15 million in political contributions. Many of these recipients then voted in lockstep for foreign aid packages. So, AI doesn't need subsidies, but the military-industrial complex and its beneficiaries apparently do? One might wonder if the concern is truly about free markets, or
simply about which corporate giants get to suckle at the public teat.