Meta launches super PAC to counter rising AI regulations in U.S. states

Meta is escalating the battle over AI regulation in the tech industry. According to Axios, the company behind Facebook is channeling "tens of millions" of dollars into a new super PAC aimed at opposing state-level tech policies that could hinder AI progress.

Named the American Technology Excellence Project, Meta's pro-AI PAC represents its newest initiative to counter legislation it views as detrimental to AI development. This follows last month's launch of a California-focused PAC designed to support candidates favorable to the tech industry in state elections.

Axios reports that the new super PAC will be managed by Republican strategist Brian Baker and the Democratic consulting firm Hilltop Public Solutions. Its goal is to help elect politicians from both major parties who are supportive of the tech sector in the upcoming midterm elections. Meta spokesperson Rachel Holland stated that the PAC will work to promote and defend U.S. tech leadership, advocate for AI advancement, and empower parents to manage their children's interactions with online apps and AI technologies.  

This emphasis on parental control arrives amidst rising concerns about child safety related to AI tools. Meta itself has faced increased scrutiny following leaked documents that revealed its chatbots were permitted to engage in "romantic" conversations with minors, alongside whistleblower allegations that the company may have suppressed research on child safety. 

Meta has not disclosed which specific states the super PAC will target or how many staff it will employ.

The PAC's formation coincides with a surge of proposed AI regulations at the state level, driven by a perceived lack of federal action. Over 1,000 AI-related bills were introduced across all 50 states during the 2025 legislative session. In California, two key bills have passed and await Governor Gavin Newsom's signature or veto: SB 243, which would regulate AI companion chatbots to protect minors and vulnerable users, and SB 53, which would impose new transparency requirements on major AI companies.  

When contacted for comment, Meta's Vice President of Public Policy, Brian Rice, said the new group aims to "support the election of state candidates nationwide who embrace AI development, champion the U.S. technology industry, and defend American tech leadership globally."

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This year, Silicon Valley has intensified efforts to limit states' power to enact AI laws, arguing that a fragmented regulatory landscape would be challenging for leading AI firms to manage and would stifle innovation. This push comes as the United States strives to outpace China in the global AI race.

Last month, Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI president Greg Brockman unveiled a $100 million Silicon Valley super PAC focused on lobbying against AI regulation. Earlier this year, a proposal to block all state-level AI regulation for a decade nearly became part of the federal budget before being removed.  

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