Exclusive: Meta launches super PAC to fight AI regulation
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Meta launched a new super PAC on Tuesday to help fight off what it sees as onerous AI and tech policy bills across the country, per an announcement shared exclusively with Axios.
Why it matters: As the federal government fully embraces AI and looks unlikely to pass significant tech policy regulation any time soon, busy state houses are tech companies' biggest problem.
- Meta's nonfederal PAC — which will be run by longtime Republican operative Brian Baker and Democratic consulting firm Hilltop Public Solutions — will focus on electing state candidates from both parties.
The super PAC is called the American Technology Excellence Project, and Meta spokesperson Rachel Holland said the company is investing in the "tens of millions" into the project.
- Holland said it's meant to fend off what the company sees as poorly crafted state-level tech policy proposals — with 1,100 introduced just this year — that could hurt the U.S. in the AI race with China.
- With the super PAC, Meta will be focused on three pillars, per Holland: promoting and defending U.S. technology companies and leadership, advocating for AI progress, and putting parents in charge of how their kids experience online apps and AI technologies.
- Holland said Meta could not yet share which states the PAC would immediately be focused on and that it has not determined how many people the PAC would employ.
What they're saying: "Amid a growing patchwork of inconsistent regulations that threaten homegrown innovation and investments in AI, state lawmakers are uniquely positioned to ensure that America remains a global technology leader," Meta VP of public policy Brian Rice said in a statement.
- "This is why Meta is launching an effort to support the election of state candidates across the country who embrace AI development, champion the U.S. technology industry, and defend American tech leadership at home and abroad."
The big picture: Meta last month launched a PAC focused on California, pledging tens of millions to back tech-friendly candidates in state races.
- Also last month, a16z and OpenAI president Greg Brockman announced they were putting $100 million into a PAC to advocate against strict AI regulation.
The bottom line: Tech policy lobbyists have been very effective in fighting off the regulation they don't like in Washington, with Congress' general paralysis at passing bills working to their advantage.
- The challenge for these PACs could be steeper in statehouses, where bills often pass a lot more easily.
