Stephen A. Smith

AI position

No x-risk mention

No findable statements engaging AI existential risk; his AI-adjacent commentary is limited to a vague "scared" tweet and disavowing a deepfake of himself, neither of which addresses x-risk substantively.

Why influential

Builds a direct, recurring relationship with audiences through long-form or personality-led media; guests and clips can quickly alter candidate incentives and issue salience. Primary policy lanes: culture; elections; race; national politics.

Who pays attention

Athletes, Black audiences, sports fans, campaign outreach teams, entertainers and political candidates

Work samples

• Stephen A's Take: Comments on Elon Musk exit and Trump making it a big deal!

  Jun 1, 2025 · podcast

  Discusses the Musk-Trump political feud (not AI-related) with guests Will Cain and Roland Martin; illustrates his political commentary lane.

• Stephen A. Smith teases presidential run: 'I'm not interested in being no vice president'

  Jan 1, 2026 · article

  Coverage of his political ambitions; representative of his national-politics crossover profile.

• Stephen A Smith on X: deepfake/AI-generated video disavowal

  Apr 1, 2025 · social

  Smith publicly disavows an AI-generated video falsely depicting him cussing out Kevin Durant, his most concrete public AI-related statement.

• Stephen A Smith on X: "I keep seeing a lot of talk about AI…and I’m scared"

  May 28, 2023 · social

  Early, vague personal reaction tweet expressing fear about AI without engaging specifics.