Pro-AI super PAC network underperforms in midterms
Wired AI: The Biggest Pro-AI Super Pac Network Didn't Really Impact the Midterms
Leading the Future, backed by Silicon Valley’s biggest billionaires, had a war chest of $100 million and an aggressive stance against AI regulation. All of it didn’t add up to much on Tuesday night.
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A major pro-AI super PAC network backed by Silicon Valley billionaires spent around $100 million during the midterm elections with the stated goal of opposing policies that restrict AI innovation. Despite this large war chest, the network's strategy to influence the election largely failed, as most of its funding went to safe candidates and it underperformed in riskier races where it attempted to shape outcomes. The network's shift away from aggressive spending coincided with polling showing widespread voter distrust of Big Tech, with exit polls indicating that a significant majority of voters said AI and data centers played a major role in their voting decisions. The election results were viewed as a victory for AI safety advocates, with voters from both parties supporting candidates who favored tech regulation and AI safety oversight.
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