The notion that near-term AI concerns and existential AI concerns somehow represent a binary option that we must choose between is fallacious at best.

Near-term AI concerns represent a massive challenge encompassing many ethical and social issues. They must be addressed.

Existential AI concerns, while low probability, have consequences so dire that they warrant further research regardless. These too must be addressed.

There is ample funding and human resources to work on both problems effectively. Why fight about it?