AI PAC campaign asks Trump, Congress to back national standard
A super PAC backed by the AI industry launched a $10 million campaign Monday to push Congress to create a national AI policy that would override some state laws, the group told CNBC.
“Leading the Future” campaign launched during the summer with over 100 participants $100 million The surge in startup funding signals how the emerging industry plans to expand its wealth and power in next year’s midterm elections.
“There is broad public demand for congressional action and a uniform national approach to AI,” said Nathan Leamer, executive director of “Build American AI.”,” The advocacy arm of the PAC. “For Americans excited about the future of artificial intelligence, we are excited to create this platform to engage members of Congress and make a difference.”
The campaign will run TV, digital and social media ads, as well as field 10,000 calls to lawmakers’ offices this week alone, according to a memo about the campaign shared with CNBC.
President Donald Trump already seems convinced: He wrote: Real Social He said last Tuesday that the US “MUST have a single Federal Standard rather than a patchwork of 50 State Regulatory Regimes.”
same day, Leamer posted this A photo of himself at the White House said he was there to discuss “the need for a national AI framework.”
The PAC’s mobilization comes as the White House and congressional Republicans seek to suppress states’ ability to enforce AI laws.
Multiple sources familiar with the ongoing discussions told CNBC that the plan is to add language to one of the spending bills Congress is expected to vote on in the next few months.
Meanwhile a draft administrative order The allegation, which emerged last week, aims to block state AI laws by creating a new “AI Litigation Task Force” and threatening to withhold federal funding.
Trump trying to encourage AI-friendly governance by promoting the industry regulatory hurdlesHe is expected to sign an executive order on artificial intelligence later Monday, a senior official told a White House pool reporter.
It is unclear whether this order is the same or similar to the draft order circulating in the White House. The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment. Trump is scheduled to sign an executive order in the Oval Office at 4 p.m.
Leading the Future is backed by multiple AI industry leaders, including venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz, Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, AI search engine company Perplexity, and SV Angel founder Ron Conway.
The PAC recently announced its first target for the 2026 midterms: New York Assembly member Alex Bores, who is running in the crowded Democratic primary for the Manhattan seat held by retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler.
Bores co-sponsored the RAISE Act, which codified security protocols for the largest AI companies. The bill passed the state legislature, but not signed yet by Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“We should eventually have a federal AI standard. I totally agree with that,” Bores said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” Monday morning.
“But the debate right now is, should we stop the states from making any progress before the feds fix the problem, or should we actually work together to get the federal government to fix the problem?” said Bores.
