WorkJuly 9, 2026via CNBC Technology
What AI companies want for the millions they're spending on elections
Why it matters
As AI legislation becomes inevitable, industry players are using political spending to influence regulatory outcomes. This reveals the fault lines between AI safety advocates and those pushing for lighter-touch rules — and it matters because regulation will determine which business models survive.
Key signals
- Two major AI industry PACs are each pushing competing versions of AI regulation
- Lawmakers are actively working on AI legislation
- AI companies are spending millions in election spending to influence policy outcomes
- This reflects a broader battle over how AI should be regulated at the federal level
The hook
AI companies are spending millions on elections to shape regulation in their favor — here's what they're lobbying for.
Lawmakers are working on AI legislation — and two major industry PACs are each pushing for their own version of regulation.