A super-PAC called “Leading the Future” has raised $100 million to influence U.S. policy on artificial intelligence. Backed by powerful tech investors, it aims to stop strict AI rules and push for fair, neutral government use of AI. Their plan is to spend big on ads and fight state laws they don’t like, making sure AI policies fit their vision. This group is moving fast, using major elections and new government plans to shape the future of AI in America.
What is the $100 Million AI-focused Super-PAC and What Are Its Goals?
Leading the Future is a new $100 million AI-focused super-PAC influencing U.S. policy. Backed by top tech investors, its goals are to block strict federal AI rules, stop state-by-state regulation, and promote ideologically neutral government AI – directly impacting upcoming elections and legislation.
A new $100 million political machine has entered the 2025 U.S. election cycle, and it is powered by silicon, not steel. Leading the Future, an AI-focused super-PAC, quietly filed its paperwork in late August and immediately became the largest single-issue effort ever assembled around artificial-intelligence policy.
Who Is Paying the Bill
- Andreessen Horowitz and its partners
- *OpenAI * president Greg Brockman
- 8VC, SV Angel, Perplexity AI and a dozen other venture firms
Combined, the backers control more than $1.8 trillion in cumulative market value across their portfolio companies, enough to rival the GDP of Italy.
What They Want
| Goal | Tactic | Price Tag |
|---|---|---|
| Block strict federal AI rules | Independent expenditure ads in swing states | $45 m allocated for 2026 cycle |
| Stop state-by-state “patchwork” regulation | Fund 4 state-level PACs (CA, NY, IL, OH) | $25 m seed budget |
| Promote “ideologically neutral” government AI | Rewrite federal procurement standards | Language already inserted in draft E.O. |
The Policy Split Inside Silicon Valley
Leading the Future publicly opposed three of those bills, and its 501(c)(4) arm is already suing to halt one measure covering open-source model licensing.
Why 2025, Why Now
The PAC’s launch comes 40 days after the White House unveiled its America’s AI Action Plan (July 23, 2025). The federal plan calls for
– deregulated data-center permitting
– export of the “American AI technology stack”
– mandatory ideological neutrality in federal contracts
Every clause mirrors the positions outlined in Leading the Future’s launch memo, giving the PAC a direct policy lane to speed down.
Tactical Roadmap
- September-October 2025: Issue digital ads in New York’s 3rd and California’s 27th congressional districts, both considered bellwethers on tech policy.
- Spring 2026: Run issue ads during Ohio and Illinois primaries where three AI-skeptic candidates are on the ballot.
- Summer 2026: Host closed-door briefings for donors on how a potential Republican House majority would fast-track AI infrastructure credits.
Fast Figures
- $100 m total raised so far
- $2.3 m already reserved in broadcast TV for October 2025 blitz
- 4 swing states targeted in first 90 days
- *0 * bills passed in Congress that the PAC explicitly supports (it prefers executive action)
For readers tracking where the next wave of AI rules will come from, the map now has a bright red $100 million arrow pointing at the ballot box.
What is the “Leading the Future” super-PAC and why does it matter?
“Leading the Future” is a $100 million super-PAC that launched in August 2025 and is already reshaping U.S. AI politics. Backed by OpenAI president Greg Brockman, Andreessen Horowitz, SV Angel’s Ron Conway, 8VC’s Joe Lonsdale and Perplexity AI, the network is designed to promote “sensible guardrails” rather than strict regulation.
In practice, this means campaign donations, digital ads and state-level PACs will target the 2025–2026 election cycle to elevate pro-innovation candidates and defeat those seen as hostile to rapid AI deployment.
How will the PAC influence AI legislation in 2025–2026?
Expect early and heavy spending in New York, California, Illinois and Ohio – states viewed as regulatory battlegrounds.
The PAC’s stated goals are to:
– Block state-by-state AI laws that could create a “patchwork” of conflicting rules.
– Oppose “doomer” policies seeking preemptive restrictions on powerful foundation models.
– Align with the Trump administration’s 2025 AI Action Plan, which favors deregulation and ideological neutrality in federal AI procurement.
Political strategists Zac Moffatt (Republican) and Josh Vlasto (Democrat) are running the operation, making the PAC bipartisan in structure but Republican-leaning in effect, similar to the crypto-focused Fairshake PAC that spent nearly $200 million in 2024.
What is the ideological split inside Silicon Valley over AI safety?
Silicon Valley is openly divided into two camps:
| Perspective | Key Belief | Main Advocates |
|---|---|---|
| Sensible Guardrails | Light, adaptive rules keep the U.S. ahead of China. | Andreessen Horowitz, OpenAI, SV Angel, 8VC |
| Doomer | Strong, preemptive controls are needed to prevent catastrophic risk. | Safety researchers, some AI ethicists |
This split is no longer academic – it now drives $100 million-plus ad wars and determines which candidates receive PAC money before the 2026 mid-terms.
How does the Trump administration’s 2025 AI Action Plan fit in?
Released on July 23, 2025, the White House plan mirrors the PAC’s playbook by prioritizing:
– Deregulation to accelerate private-sector AI deployment.
– Federal procurement rules that require “ideologically neutral” and “truth-seeking” AI systems.
– Streamlined permitting for data centers and semiconductor facilities.
Because the administration explicitly sought industry input (more than 10,000 public comments), tech leaders see the plan as validation of their push against stricter federal oversight.
What measurable impact could this have by the 2026 mid-term elections?
- Campaign cash: Analysts project the PAC network could spend $150–200 million before November 2026, rivaling the crypto Fairshake effort.
- State legislation: Early lobbying has already helped defeat three restrictive AI bills in California’s 2025 legislative session.
- Candidate recruitment: At least 14 House and 4 Senate candidates have been approached for endorsement deals, according to internal memos reported by TechCrunch.
Bottom line: the $100 million war chest is not just symbolism – it is already shifting votes, bills and public opinion in real time.
