By Roman Aglaganov
Design It For Us, a youth-led group that campaigns for limits on Big Tech, has published a 2027 AI policy platform, first shared with Semafor on 21 October. It is based on feedback from more than 700 members in 40 states, co-founder Zamaan Qureshi said.
What it asks for
Stop dangerous models: the government should be able to block the deployment of models judged too dangerous.
Test the big ones: large AI companies should face independent testing and minimum standards.
Make companies liable: firms should be responsible when their products injure people.
Let states act: states should keep the power to pass their own AI rules, rather than being overridden by a single federal law.
The group wants Congress to pass a bill by the end of 2027, “because it’s our future on the line,” Qureshi said. He added that Anthropic’s recently leaked draft bill falls short. The platform says its lessons come from Washington’s failure to regulate social media.
Walkouts
On the same day, students at Boston-area colleges, including Northeastern, walked out of classes as part of nationwide protests calling for AI oversight, Boston 25 News reported. Organisers called for a freeze on AI development until stronger safety measures and public oversight are in place, and took their demands to the Massachusetts State House. The state teachers’ union president, Matt Bach, joined them: “Schools, not screens. Authentic, not artificial.”
Why it matters
Design It For Us has influenced kids’ online safety bills in Congress before, although its main goal, the Kids Online Safety Act, has not passed. With the midterm elections less than two weeks away and AI now a campaign issue, young voters are making clear that they want a say in how it is governed.
