At NatCon 5, one of the right’s most influential conferences, speakers cast Big Tech as a danger to Western values. AI developers were branded “apostates,” and tech leaders were accused of betraying faith, family, and nation.
Big Tech and the rise of holy war rhetoric
Psychology professor Geoffrey Miller demanded a “holy war” against AI developers, labeling them traitors and threats to children. Meanwhile, his remarks targeted Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar, who was one of the few attendees still defending technology as a patriotic tool.
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Big Tech is seen as a civilizational enemy
Panelists linked technology to collapsing schools, weaker defenses, and attacks on faith. Some said AI might still help society, but many warned unchecked growth would cause “civilizational suicide.”
Main complaints included:
- Censorship of conservative voices
- Algorithm bias and demonetization
- Addiction to social media and chatbots
- Transhumanism as an insult to religion
From allies to critics of Big Tech
High-profile figures like Steve Bannon, Josh Hawley, and NIH chief Jay Bhattacharya accused tech firms of harming America. Former Trump adviser Dean Ball added that mistrust runs so deep, even Elon Musk lost credibility after Grok’s controversial AI features.
Strange alliances emerge against Big Tech
Some speakers suggested aligning with labor unions to fight disruptive technology. Michael Toscano argued such unity could save the future, while others said Trump could gain historic status by leading the charge.
Few defend AI as an American tool
Shyam Sankar argued that AI could serve American values if guided correctly, and he described it as a “uniquely American phenomenon” with the power to strengthen national ideals. However, by the end, the crowd ultimately gave its loudest applause to Steve Bannon’s warning that Big Tech was a “bottomless pit” run by untrustworthy elites.
For many at NatCon, the fight is no longer just about regulation. Instead, it has turned into something closer to a religious crusade against Big Tech.
