United States of AI Ethical Policy - The Lineage of Ideas

A Civic Brief from Future in Common

Part of the series: “The United States of AI: An Ethical Policy Platform for American Workers”

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What This Brief Covers:

New technology doesn’t mean we start from scratch.

The Lineage of Ideas traces the intellectual and moral traditions that shape our people-first vision for the AI age. From abolitionist democracy to economic justice, from tech ethics to worker power, this brief maps the deep roots of the United States of AI platform—and why this moment demands continuity, not disruption.

What You’ll Learn:

• The democratic, civic, and justice-centered traditions behind today’s AI policy proposals

• How movements for dignity, rights, and shared power inform our approach to technology

• Why ethical AI governance must be grounded in historical context—not just future fears

• How past visions of freedom can guide our path forward in the post-work era

Who It’s For:

• Educators, organizers, and civic leaders

• Voters and students exploring AI’s impact on society

• Policymakers and researchers seeking values-based frameworks

• Anyone curious about the moral and strategic roots of people-centered AI policy

Why It Matters:

A just transition to an AI-powered future will not be engineered—it will be imagined, organized, and built by people rooted in purpose.

We’re not starting from zero. We’re carrying forward ideas that have always pointed toward freedom.

This brief is a reminder: We’ve been preparing for this moment all along.