Meta Doubles Down on AI Lobbying with Massive Super PAC Investment

Article Summary

Meta is significantly escalating its efforts to influence AI regulation in California by establishing a new super political action committee (PAC), Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across California. The move, reported by Politico, comes as other tech giants, including Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI’s Greg Brockman, have also pledged substantial investments to a similar pro-AI PAC. Meta’s investment – tens of millions – underscores the social media giant’s concern about potential overregulation of the burgeoning AI industry. VP of public policy Brian Rice argues that overly strict rules could stifle innovation and jeopardize California’s position as a technology leader. Meta has already been actively lobbying against legislation like Senator Scott Wiener’s SB-53, which would mandate AI safety protocols, and previously contributed to the defeat of the Kids Online Safety Act. This new PAC signals a long-term strategy to shape the regulatory landscape and defend Meta’s interests in the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence.

Key Points

• Meta is creating a new super PAC, Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across California, to support pro-AI candidates.
• Meta’s investment in the PAC is tens of millions, mirroring investments by Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI.
• The move is driven by concerns that overly strict AI regulations could hinder innovation and threaten California’s tech leadership.