Dueling PACs take center stage in midterm elections over AI regulation

In a pivotal New York congressional race, two prominent political action committees (PACs) focused on artificial intelligence (AI) regulation are going head-to-head, with substantial funding anticipated for the midterm elections. The Jobs and Democracy PAC, representing the Democratic side of a pro-AI regulation initiative, has initiated a significant advertising campaign in support of Alex Bores, a New York assemblyman instrumental in advancing the state's recent AI legislation, known as the RAISE Act. The RAISE Act mandates that major AI developers disclose their safety protocols and report any serious misuse of their technologies. As Bores competes in a crowded Democratic primary for the 12th congressional district, winning this primary is viewed as critical, given the district's political landscape. Bores has previously been targeted by an advertising campaign from the opposing AI PAC, Leading the Future, which boasts backing from influential figures such as venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz and Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale. This rivalry underscores a broader, bipartisan initiative led by former lawmakers Brad Carson and Chris Stewart to support candidates who advocate for increased AI regulation. Recently, the Public First Action group, part of this bipartisan effort, received a $20 million contribution from Anthropic, which has distinguished itself from other AI companies by advocating for stronger regulatory measures. Earlier this month, they launched a six-figure advertisement highlighting Senator Marsha Blackburn’s (R-Tenn.) record on AI legislation as she runs for governor of Tennessee. Additionally, the group's Republican faction, Defending our Values PAC, has also invested significantly in supporting Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) in his re-election campaign, particularly focusing on his efforts to impose stricter controls on the export of advanced U.S. semiconductors to rival countries. The midterm elections signify only the latest arena where AI titans OpenAI and Anthropic are clashing. Their rivalry has even spilled into advertising, as seen in their contrasting Super Bowl commercials and investments in data centers. Central to the congressional discussions on AI regulation is the contentious debate over whether to impose a temporary ban on states implementing certain AI laws to prevent a fragmented regulatory environment. Advocates of this ban argue that it could hinder AI development, yet it has struggled to gain traction among lawmakers from both parties. Notably, former President Trump had signed an executive order in December aimed at penalizing states that establish specific AI regulations.