- The AI industry is poised to spend big on politics in 2026.
- Multiple super PACs backed by prominent tech-world figures have cropped up.
- Here are the ones to watch as the year goes on.
Artificial intelligence is poised to play a big role in politics this year — and not just when it comes to AI-generated content.
Several super PACs backed by figures in the tech industry have formed ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Some of the groups plan to support candidates who are friendly towards the AI industry and will take a lighter regulatory approach to the technology.
At least one group has been formed explicitly to combat the influence of those pro-AI groups.
It comes as the Trump administration takes a friendly approach toward the industry, including moving to restrict states' ability to regulate AI. Meanwhile, other politicians are calling for a national moratorium on new AI data centers, and some are just starting to use the technology for themselves.
Here are the super PACs to keep an eye on as the year progresses.
Leading the Future
OpenAI President Greg Brockman and his wife Anna are among the backers of Leading the Future.
Michael Loccisano/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images
The biggest player so far is Leading the Future, a pro-AI network of super PACs associated with some of Silicon Valley's tech elite.
The group's main super PAC had raised just over $50 million by the end of 2025, according to recent FEC filings.
That included:
- $25 million from OpenAI CEO Greg Brockman and his wife Anna;
- $25 million from Andreesen Horowitz;
- $100,000 from Perplexity.
Brockman explained his philosophy on political giving in a lengthy post on X at the end of 2025, writing in part that "being pro-AI does not mean being anti-regulation."
The network includes a super PAC for Democratic races, Think Big, along with a GOP-focused super PAC, American Mission.
FEC filings show that SV Angel Founder Ron Conway contributed $500,000 to Think Big.
Meanwhile, 8VC Founder Joe Lonsdale gave $250,000 to American Mission.
The group said in an August release that it plans to serve as the "political and policy center of gravity for the AI industry" and will "support candidates aligned with the pro-AI agenda" and "oppose those that do not."
The group has already begun spending.
Think Big has spent over $900,000 against Assemblyman Alex Bores in the Democratic primary for New York's 12th congressional district.
And American Mission has spent over $500,000 backing GOP candidate Chris Gober in Texas's 10th congressional district.
Public First
Former Reps. Chris Stewart (left) and Brad Carson (right) launched Public First.
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; Courtesy/Public First
In response to Leading the Future, two former congressmen — Republican Chris Stewart of Utah and Democrat Brad Carson of Oklahoma — have formed their own competing political network to back candidates who support AI regulation, called Public First.
The group is aiming to raise $50 million for its effort, well short of what the pro-AI groups have raised. But Carson told Business Insider he feels good about Public First's odds, given that the American public is broadly supportive of AI regulation.
"We have $50 million and 85% of public sentiment. They have 15% of public settlement, and $100 million," Carson said. "I will take our side of that bet any day."
The group has not yet disclosed donors, though Carson said that Public First would have financial support from employees at a variety of AI companies.
"There's going to be people from across the AI sector, as well as far beyond the AI sector, who contribute to the effort," Carson said.
The group has two affiliated super PACs: one that supports Democrats called Jobs and Democracy PAC, and another that supports Republicans called Defending Our Values PAC.
Neither has spent in any election so far.
Two Meta-backed super PACs
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg
Taylor Hill/Getty Images
Meta is also getting into the super PAC game, establishing two different PACs last year to support candidates aligned with their vision for AI regulation.
Unlike the other PACs, Meta's efforts will focus primarily on the state level.
One PAC, called Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across (Meta) California, will focus specifically on the Golden State, where Meta is headquartered.
"As home to many of the world's leading AI companies, California's innovation economy has an outsized impact on America's economic growth, job creation, and global competitiveness," a Meta spokesperson said. "But Sacramento's regulatory environment could stifle innovation, block AI progress, and put California's technology leadership at risk."
The spokesperson added that the PAC would back candidates in both parties who "recognize California's vital role in AI development and embrace policies that will keep the state at the forefront of the global tech ecosystem."
Meta gave $20 million to its California-focused PAC in August, according to documents recently filed with the California Secretary of State.
A separate PAC, the American Technology Excellence Project, will focus on races in other states.
"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.
That PAC has been seeded with $45 million, according to POLITICO.
Neither PAC has spent significant sums yet.
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