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By Ross Douthat

Opinion Columnist

In a recent column I urged readers to wrench part of their mind away from the rush of Trump-era controversies and pay more attention to artificial intelligence. No sooner had I made this case then the release of new A.I. iterations rattled the stock market and gave fresh material to accelerationists and doomers alike — so I felt the advice was well timed.

Except, as a few readers reasonably wondered, what does it mean for a politically minded person to “pay attention” to A.I.? Just stare agog at the latest models? Demand that one or both of our political coalitions start overhauling the entire educational system? Throw oneself into the weeds of A.I. safety policy? Abandon all political engagement and join a monastery?

I’m trying to figure out the answers myself (some columns are........

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