AI Super PACs Spend $24 Million in Midterms as Anthropic and OpenAI Fight Proxy War
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 30
AI Super PACs Spend $24 Million in Midterms as Anthropic and OpenAI Fight Proxy War
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 30
$24 million has already flowed from AI-aligned super PACs Public First and Leading the Future into midterm races, with more than $100 million additional spending promised.
The clash is a proxy war between Anthropic-backed Public First and OpenAI-aligned Leading the Future as Silicon Valley companies try to shape future AI regulation.
That rivalry has spilled into campaigns through canceled ad buys, pressure on lawmakers to shun the opposing group and candidates trying to avoid being caught in the feud.
The fight shows how the AI industry is rapidly becoming a major election spender, channeling tens of millions through allied super PACs to influence the political rules governing the technology.
As AI giants battle over regulations, who is truly funding the 'pro-safety' political machine?
If AI poses an existential threat, why are its top creators waging a political civil war?
The $185 Million AI Influx: Silicon Valley’s Proxy War Over Regulation in the 2026 Midterms
Overview
The 2026 midterm elections are being transformed by an unprecedented surge of money from artificial intelligence companies, especially giants like OpenAI and Anthropic, who have poured over $185 million into races nationwide. This explosive growth in AI has led these tech leaders to invest heavily in shaping the future of AI regulation, aiming to influence both federal and state policies. As a result, overall campaign spending is set to surpass previous years, fundamentally reshaping the political landscape. The intense financial involvement of AI companies highlights their determination to secure favorable regulations and demonstrates the growing power of technology in American politics.