AI Industry PAC's $100M Campaign Successfully Pressures Politicians to Weaken Regulation
By
Tessa Stuart
Summary
The AI industry, backed by a $100 million PAC (Leading the Future), is successfully intimidating politicians to weaken AI regulation. New York Governor Kathy Hochul gutted a modest AI safety bill just one day after the PAC began attacking congressional candidate Alex Bores. This coincided with President Trump issuing an executive order to preempt state-level AI laws. The article argues this is the opening salvo of a 2026 midterm campaign where AI billionaires are using their financial power to shape regulation in their favor, and their strategy is already proving effective.
Source
bskyAI Industry PAC's $100M Campaign Successfully Pressures Politicians to Weaken Regulationrollingstone.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledThe titans of artificial intelligence have fired the first shot in a regulation battle that is poised to dominate the 2026 midterms, and the industry's prospects for victory are already looking good.
Hochul's apparent capitulation to the AI industry came just a day after the AI industry PAC Leading the Future — which boasts a $100 million war chest — began attacking a Democratic congressional candidate.
The AI industry is not just fighting regulation — it's actively punishing politicians who dare to support it.
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