Broadly, Sapiens First advocates for democracy, prosperity, and a secure future in the age of AI.
Our approach to policy advocacy is:
- Run campaigns that are politically feasible and allow us to mobilize a broad coalition.
- Concurrently, do activism that expands the Overton window and raises social awareness about AI-related issues.
This page represents an early draft of policies, which we share in the spirit of transparency and collaboration. We'd like to develop policies in collaboration with experts in social, economic, and tech policy. If you'd like to contribute, please reach out to rohan@sapiensfirst.org.
This page is a living document, last updated in July 2026.
AI could give governments and corporations unprecedented power to watch people, manipulate public debate, and shape policy behind closed doors. We should use this moment to strengthen democracy instead: defending civil liberties, breaking corporate control over policymaking, and giving ordinary people a direct role in decisions about our future.
Ban AI-Enabled Mass Surveillance
End Big Tech's Influence on Elections
Citizens' Assemblies for AI Policy
Upgrade Our Democratic Process
AI could create immense wealth while eliminating jobs, weakening workers' bargaining power, and concentrating ownership in a small number of companies. The gains should instead be shared broadly through dividends, public ownership, creator compensation, worker protections, and renewed investment in public institutions.
Benefits for Communities Affected by Data Centers
Enhance Our Government Institutions
Build a Sovereign Wealth Fund for AI
Citizens’ Dividend
A regular, unconditional cash payment funded by a fair public share of AI-driven gains. We call on lawmakers to publish a costed plan that explains funding, eligibility, delivery and how it works alongside existing support.
Explore the Citizens’ Dividend campaign →Cutting-edge AI systems could create catastrophic risks if developed through an uncontrolled race among companies and nations. Governments need independent scientific capacity, enforceable transparency, and international agreements that keep advanced AI under meaningful human control.
Lead a Treaty with China to Stop the AI Arms Race
Mandate That All Frontier AI Development Be Done in the Open
Institute Strict Liability and Punitive Damages for AI Harms
Build a Powerful and Independent AI Safety Institute
Sapiens First — A People's Agenda for the Age of AI · Updated July 2026