META
Silicon Valley just declared war on state AI laws
Meta is putting big money into politics to push back against new AI rules in the U.S.
The company is spending “tens of millions” on a new super PAC, the American Technology Excellence Project, to support politicians who are friendly to AI.
The group will be run by both Republican and Democratic advisers and will focus on next year’s midterms.
Meta says its priorities are keeping U.S. tech strong, backing AI progress, and giving parents more control over how children use apps and AI tools.
The move comes as worries about child safety grow.
Leaked files showed Meta’s chatbots could have “romantic” chats with kids, and whistleblowers claimed the company held back research on safety.
It’s not clear yet which states the PAC will target.
But this comes at a time when states are moving fast, more than 1,000 AI bills were introduced this year alone.
In California, two bills are waiting for Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision: one limits AI chatbots with minors, the other adds new transparency rules for big AI firms.
TL;DR
Meta is spending millions on a PAC to support pro-AI politicians.
States have filed over 1,000 AI bills this year.
Tech firms say state rules could slow U.S. innovation and weaken its edge over China.
AI meets politics, again
Tech leaders argue state laws could make things messy and slow down innovation.
Other Silicon Valley figures, including Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI’s Greg Brockman, have already put $100m into their own PAC to fight AI rules.
Earlier this year, a proposal to stop states from regulating AI for 10 years nearly made it into the federal budget.
The ‘patchwork’ laws excuse feels like “I don’t wanna share my toys.”