Archive - Transformer

The executive order debacle is bad news for AI

Transformer Weekly: Trump’s AI executive order, SpaceX’s IPO filing, and Lehane’s super PAC thoughts

May 22 • Shakeel Hashim, Veronica Irwin, and Celia Ford

The new rules for killing a data center

A retired tech exec beat Microsoft in his Wisconsin village. Now he's teaching the rest of America how to do the same

May 21

What I learned roleplaying as a rogue AI

At a conference about “AI control,” discussions and games explored ways to control untrustworthy AI

May 18 • Celia Ford

Is OpenAI changing its tune on AI laws?

Transformer Weekly: US-China talks, AI executive order, and Anthropic’s $900b valuation

May 15 • Shakeel Hashim and Celia Ford

An Oregon congresswoman distanced herself from Leading the Future — then backtracked

After the AI super PAC endorsed her and two other Democrats, Rep. Val Hoyle went back and forth on whether she was happy with their support

May 13 • Veronica Irwin

How Silicon Valley sold Washington an AI race

“Who and what agendas does rivalry serve?”

May 8 • YI-Ling Liu

Palantir’s controversy is the product

Palantir’s fiery rhetoric helps mystify its mostly mundane tech — propping up its share price and preserving its national security contracts

May 6 • James Ball

Government control of AI has begun

Transformer Weekly: Cruz’s latest messaging bill, Google employee outrage, and Elon goes to court

May 1 • Shakeel Hashim, Veronica Irwin, and Celia Ford

April 2026

Google’s Pentagon deal blindsided its own AI researchers

Some employees are speaking out over the agreement allowing “all lawful use” of Google’s AI technologies

Apr 30 • Celia Ford

The AI safety movement needs normies

A broader base may be the only way for the AI safety field to get what it wants

Apr 27 • Celia Ford

GPT-5.5 and the broken state of government evals

Transformer Weekly: DeepSeek V4, a new CAISI director, and Liccardo holds out on Obernolte

Apr 24 • Shakeel Hashim, Celia Ford, and Veronica Irwin

AI safety PACs should be more transparent about who’s funding them

While advocating for accountability and transparency, the Public First Action network of super PACs is obscuring where its money comes from

Apr 23 • Veronica Irwin

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