Pro-AI Super PACs are already throwing their weight around in the 2026 US midterm elections, with tens of millions of dollars being poured into the campaigns of friendly candidates. The tech industry's war over AI regulation has reached a boiling point, with Silicon Valley's largest companies and investors pitted against concerned lawmakers, AI researchers, safety-focused startups, and non-profit groups pushing for guardrails on advanced AI models.
At the forefront of this effort is Leading the Future, a super PAC backed by venture capital powerhouse Andreessen Horowitz, OpenAI president Greg Brockman, and his wife Anna. With more than $100 million in backing, the group has launched its first television ads targeting specific congressional races, including New York state assemblymember Alex Bores, who championed a recently signed law requiring major AI developers to report safety testing practices.
Leading the Future's leader, Josh Vlasto, claims that the group aims to advance a national regulatory framework for AI and ensure job creation, innovation, protection of communities, and winning the "race against China." However, critics argue that this is just a thinly veiled attempt to limit regulation and protect profits for Silicon Valley's largest companies.
On the other side of the battlelines are pro-AI safety groups like Public First, a bipartisan super PAC launched by former US representatives Chris Stewart and Brad Carson. With plans to raise $50 million, Public First is backed by employees from major AI labs including Anthropic, Google DeepMind, and OpenAI, as well as non-profit organizations like Coefficient Giving.
While Public First has less financial backing than its pro-AI counterparts, Carson argues that he's fighting an easier battle, thanks to public opinion being firmly on his side. A recent poll suggested that 80 percent of US adults believe the government should maintain rules for AI safety and data security.
As the AI industry pours billions into US elections, one thing is clear: the fate of AI regulation in America hangs in the balance. With billions of dollars at stake, lawmakers will have to navigate a complex web of competing interests and make difficult decisions about how to regulate this rapidly evolving technology.
At the forefront of this effort is Leading the Future, a super PAC backed by venture capital powerhouse Andreessen Horowitz, OpenAI president Greg Brockman, and his wife Anna. With more than $100 million in backing, the group has launched its first television ads targeting specific congressional races, including New York state assemblymember Alex Bores, who championed a recently signed law requiring major AI developers to report safety testing practices.
Leading the Future's leader, Josh Vlasto, claims that the group aims to advance a national regulatory framework for AI and ensure job creation, innovation, protection of communities, and winning the "race against China." However, critics argue that this is just a thinly veiled attempt to limit regulation and protect profits for Silicon Valley's largest companies.
On the other side of the battlelines are pro-AI safety groups like Public First, a bipartisan super PAC launched by former US representatives Chris Stewart and Brad Carson. With plans to raise $50 million, Public First is backed by employees from major AI labs including Anthropic, Google DeepMind, and OpenAI, as well as non-profit organizations like Coefficient Giving.
While Public First has less financial backing than its pro-AI counterparts, Carson argues that he's fighting an easier battle, thanks to public opinion being firmly on his side. A recent poll suggested that 80 percent of US adults believe the government should maintain rules for AI safety and data security.
As the AI industry pours billions into US elections, one thing is clear: the fate of AI regulation in America hangs in the balance. With billions of dollars at stake, lawmakers will have to navigate a complex web of competing interests and make difficult decisions about how to regulate this rapidly evolving technology.
the whole AI regulation thing is a total mess 
- it's like these super PACs are trying to buy influence and shape the narrative rather than having a genuine conversation about what's best for society 
meanwhile, we got people on both sides with valid concerns 
but honestly who do you trust? 
and can we just get some real transparency around all this money being thrown around 
It's all just a mess waiting to happen.
We need to have some real conversations about what's at stake here before it's too late...
. It's not surprising that the AI industry is spending tens of millions on ads – they want to shape public opinion in their favor 
. But what about the people who aren't employed by these giant companies? What about those who are still struggling to make ends meet? 
We need to think about how this regulation will affect everyday folks, not just Silicon Valley billionaires 
. I mean, I guess it's better than nothing, but come on! You can't compete with the deep pockets of Leading the Future 
. Can we just have a calm discussion about how to regulate this stuff? 
I'm tired of these super PACs trying to sway people with fancy ads and PR spin 
. It's just not going to work 
AI is gonna be huge but we gotta make sure it doesn't hurt us 
. What's really at play here? Are we just talking about job creation, innovation, or protecting profits for the big boys? 
. And don't even get me started on this whole "China" thing... sounds like a red herring to me 
.
I just hope our lawmakers can keep their wits about 'em and make some smart decisions for once! 
. I mean, it's not like I'm saying we should take our minds off AI regulation or anything... but have you ever noticed how intelligent those creatures are? Like, they can learn and adapt so fast! Maybe we humans could learn from them? 
. I mean, don't get me wrong, AI can be super beneficial but we gotta think about the long-term effects too 
. It sounds like a bunch of corporate spin to me 
.
80% of US adults want some sort of regulation? That's crazy! 
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. While Carson's bipartisan super PAC may have an uphill battle, the data suggests that public opinion is increasingly in favor of maintaining rules for AI safety and data security 
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