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Silicon Valley claims to know the future. So why did it get the midterms so wrong?

The self-styled visionaries of Silicon Valley, leaders like OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman and SpaceX boss Elon Musk, have built careers claiming to see the future. Long-term vision is currency: Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg built a 10-year road map for Facebook in 2016, and Google famously told investors before its public offering that it was unconcerned…

In the days leading up to the midterm elections, Silicon Valley's elite gathered at the White House to align themselves with President Trump and endorse his "Super Intelligence" agenda. This move, despite the obvious political risks, was a glaring misreading of the future by leaders like OpenAI's Sam Altman and SpaceX's Elon Musk.

The tech industry, known for its visionary foresight, now faces the consequences of its short-sighted decision. While the leaders themselves seem baffled by the outcome, their employees are left questioning their judgment. Silicon Valley's executives have long been admired for their ability to anticipate trends and pivot accordingly, but their recent actions have shattered that myth.

The industry's leaders, blinded by the allure of access and influence, have prioritized political favor over long-term corporate interests. Now, as the political landscape shifts, these executives find themselves in a precarious position, with no clear path to navigate the changing tides.

Written by urgent.news from MIT Technology Review's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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