JD Vance delivered the Air Force Academy’s commencement address, using the occasion to warn graduates about the growing impact of artificial intelligence. He noted that AI will reshape the labor market, resource distribution, social interaction—and especially warfare—stressing that moral decisions about conflict must remain human, a point he linked to a recent papal statement urging against outsourcing such judgments to digital systems. Vance’s remarks come amid a broader backlash against AI‑driven data centers, which critics say pollute waterways, create noise, and disproportionately affect marginalized communities.
The speech follows a Politico report that, just before Trump’s administration could issue an AI executive order, venture‑capitalist David Sachs intervened at the last minute to block it. The order had been a weak, voluntary oversight framework; Sachs reportedly feared it might eventually become mandatory, reflecting a broader split in the White House over AI regulation—Sachs and allies favoring minimal restraint to compete with China, while others urge a more cautious approach. Vance’s alignment with the Silicon Valley‑friendly camp, his distance from Trump on AI policy, and the rising public anger toward AI‑related corporate practices are presented as key dynamics shaping the upcoming 2028 political landscape.
1. JD Vance spoke at the Air Force Academy graduation.
2. During his remarks he mentioned AI.
3. Politico reported that Trump scrapped an executive order related to AI at the last minute.
4. According to Politico, David Sachs intervened to prevent the executive order from passing.
5. The executive order would have created a voluntary oversight system for AI models.
6. David Sachs initially supported the order but later worried it could become mandatory.
7. JD Vance said he understands there is growing populist anger about AI data centers polluting waterways and being noisy.
8. He noted that AI data centers are causing environmental racism concerns.
9. He cited Virginia as an example of a state currently experiencing pollution from AI data centers.
10. JD Vance said AI executives have been getting booed across the country.
11. He stated he has seen clips of those boos.
12. As Vice President he said, “you can't boo me.”
13. He said Americans are worried about AI affecting the labor market, resource distribution, and social interaction.
14. He said his biggest worry about AI is how it will change warfare.
15. He referenced a document by Pope Leo I 14th encouraging humans not to outsource moral decisions to digital technology.
16. He endorsed that sentiment.
17. He said AI will inevitably change warfare and already has.
18. He stated that Americans wage war justly.
19. He said it has been three months since Trump and Vance launched military action on Iran and bombed a girls' school, killing over 160 children.
20. He said no investigation has concluded what happened at the girls' school.
21. He said the school was initially blamed on AI.
22. He mentioned Pete Hegseth has a Crusades tattoo and anti‑Muslim fervor.
23. Politico described David Sachs as not wanting to regulate the AI industry and insisting the industry be allowed to operate freely to compete against China.
24. Politico described Pete Hegseth as having no real thoughts on AI but being on the side of going slower.
25. Politico reported that Susie Wilds and Bessent said they were in the middle on AI regulation.
26. Politico noted JD Vance was not part of that conversation.
27. Politico mentioned that JD Vance and Marco Rubio want to run in 2028 and are more skeptical about the Iran war than others.