Are RAISE-UP supporters and pledge takers luddites?

 

The term “Luddite” comes from early 19th-century English textile workers who protested new machines that threatened their jobs and way of life. They weren’t simply “anti-technology”—they were demanding fairness and protection for working people during a time of massive economic change.

 

So, no—RAISE-UP is not against technology or progress. We’re calling for direction, not destruction or even to stop or slow down AI development. Artificial intelligence has extraordinary potential to improve lives, create jobs, and solve problems once thought impossible. What we’re suggesting is not to slow down AI development, but to redirect its purpose—to ensure it serves people, not just profits.

 

We believe the true promise of AI is a future where everyone benefits: where innovation lowers the cost of healthcare, housing, and education; where new kinds of meaningful work emerge for everyone; and where technology strengthens communities rather than replaces them. In short, we want AI to be a tool for shared prosperity—a people-centered economy powered by innovation and compassion, not by greed or exclusion.