A new opinion piece argues that today’s widespread anxiety over artificial intelligence closely resembles the public’s reaction to earlier breakthrough technologies, particularly radio during its infancy in the 1920s. Using the story of 19-year-old radio engineer Lester J. Wolf, who was electrocuted while restoring a radio transmitter in 1926 and was memorialized as a “martyr” to broadcasting, the article contends that society has a long history of assuming revolutionary technologies will produce catastrophic consequences before their benefits become clear. While acknowledging that AI carries legitimate risks requiring oversight, the piece suggests Americans should distinguish between realistic dangers and the tendency to exaggerate worst-case scenarios whenever transformative innovations emerge. From a conservative perspective, the larger lesson is that technological progress should be guided responsibly rather than smothered by fear-driven regulation that could undermine American innovation and competitiveness.
Sources
- https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2026/07/12/ai-artificial-intelligence-radio-technology-new-steinberg
- https://arxiv.org/abs/2306.04141
- https://arxiv.org/abs/2401.02843
Key Takeaways
- Americans have repeatedly reacted to transformative technologies—from electricity and radio to drones and now artificial intelligence—with predictions of catastrophe that often prove overstated.
- Artificial intelligence presents legitimate risks that warrant careful oversight, but policy should be driven by evidence rather than panic if the United States hopes to remain the world’s technology leader.
- History suggests that societies benefit most when they embrace innovation while managing genuine dangers through measured governance instead of reflexive restrictions.
In-Depth
Artificial intelligence has become the latest lightning rod in America’s ongoing debate over technology, with predictions ranging from unprecedented prosperity to civilization-ending catastrophe. Looking backward, however, reveals that this pattern is hardly unique. Early radio, electricity, automobiles and countless other innovations were all greeted by dire warnings that they would fundamentally endanger society. Many of those concerns contained elements of truth, yet history demonstrates that free societies typically adapt, improve safety standards and integrate new technologies into everyday life.
That historical perspective should not become an excuse for complacency. AI presents serious questions involving employment, privacy, intellectual property, cybersecurity and national security. Those challenges deserve thoughtful public debate and appropriate safeguards. At the same time, policymakers should resist the temptation to regulate based solely on speculative fears. Excessive restrictions imposed before technologies mature have a habit of discouraging investment, slowing innovation and allowing geopolitical competitors to seize the advantage.
For conservatives, the broader issue extends beyond artificial intelligence itself. America’s economic strength has long rested on entrepreneurship, scientific advancement and a willingness to take calculated risks. Preserving that tradition means encouraging innovation while holding developers accountable when real harms occur. The objective should be neither blind enthusiasm nor reflexive opposition, but a regulatory framework that protects citizens without crippling American ingenuity. History suggests that fear is a poor substitute for judgment, and the AI era will likely prove no different.