Exclusive: AI advocacy group touts 500,000 supporters
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Build American AI — an advocacy group tied to pro-AI super PAC Leading the Future — says it has signed up more than 500,000 supporters nationwide.
Why it matters: The fight over AI policy has been dominated by tech industry money, and pro-AI advocates are now trying to show they have broad public support.
Driving the news: Build American AI aims to have one million "activists" by Memorial Day, the group said.
- Supporters are calling congressional offices, signing petitions, and sending letters to Congress.
- They are not making donations, according to the group.
- The 500,000-person list of "grassroots advocates" was built through online petitions and digital outreach, the organization said.
Between the lines: Advocacy groups often point to the size of their email lists as proof of grassroots support in policy fights dominated by major money and industry players.
- It's a move inspired by the crypto industry, which said it mobilized 52 million people in 2023.
Context: Leading the Future, which has raised more than $125 million, is backed by contributions from OpenAI's Greg Brockman, 8VC's Joe Lonsdale, and Andreessen Horowitz.
- Build American AI is a 501(c)4 nonprofit and is not required to publicly disclose its donors.
What they're saying: "The opportunity to lead the world in AI innovation is deeply appealing to the American public as people learn more about how it will enhance their everyday lives," Build American AI executive director Nathan Leamer said in a statement.
What we're watching: Build American AI plans to expand its Beltway messaging around the "positive impact" AI is having on business and workers.
- Its latest ad is part of what the group said is a "multi million dollar advertising push" on cable, broadcast, and digital platforms.
