"A little over two years ago, OpenAI's founder Sam Altman stood in front of lawmakers at a congressional hearing and asked them for stronger regulations on artificial intelligence. The technology was risky and could cause significant harm to the world, Altman said, calling for the creation of a new regulatory agency to address AI safety. Altman and the AI industry are promoting a very different message today."
"There has been a surge in AI lobbying and political action committees from the industry, with a report last week from the Wall Street Journal that Silicon Valley plans to pour $100m into a network of organizations opposing AI regulation ahead of next year's midterm elections. One of the biggest efforts to sway candidates in favor of AI will be a Super Pac called Leading Our Future, which is backed by OpenAI president Greg Brockman and venture capitalist firm Andreessen Horowitz."
"Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is also forming its own Super Pac targeted specifically at opposing AI regulation in its home state of California. The Meta California Pac will spend tens of millions on elections in the state, which is holding its governor's race in 2026. The new Super Pacs are an escalation of the AI industry's already hefty spend"
A little over two years ago, OpenAI founder Sam Altman urged lawmakers to impose stronger AI regulations and create a regulatory agency for safety. Industry messaging has shifted to present AI as vital to American prosperity and global leadership while arguing regulation would weaken the US and embolden rivals. AI companies are spending heavily to shape policy on their terms, triggering a surge in lobbying and political action committees. Silicon Valley plans to deploy about $100 million into organizations opposing AI regulation and build Super PAC-backed campaigns in key states. Meta is creating a California Super PAC to spend tens of millions in the 2026 governor's race, marking an escalation of political spending to block restrictive AI policies.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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