Meta just escalated Silicon Valley's war against AI regulation in a major way. The Facebook parent is pouring tens of millions into a new super PAC called the American Technology Excellence Project, designed to fight state-level tech policies that could hamper AI development. It's the company's biggest political bet yet as over 1,000 AI-related bills flood state legislatures nationwide.
Meta just threw down the gauntlet in Big Tech's escalating battle against AI regulation. The company is investing "tens of millions" into a new super PAC called the American Technology Excellence Project, marking its most aggressive political move yet to combat state-level policies it views as threats to AI innovation.
The timing couldn't be more strategic. States across America are rushing to fill the regulatory vacuum left by federal inaction, with more than 1,000 AI-related bills introduced during the 2025 legislative session alone. California leads the charge with two bills sitting on Governor Gavin Newsom's desk - SB 243 targeting AI companion chatbots and SB 53 imposing transparency requirements on large AI companies.
Meta's new political weapon will be run by Republican veteran Brian Baker and Democratic consulting firm Hilltop Public Solutions, creating a bipartisan operation designed to elect tech-friendly politicians in next year's midterm elections. "The super PAC will focus on promoting and defending U.S. tech companies and leadership, advocating for AI progress, and putting parents in charge of how their children experience online apps and AI technologies," Meta spokesperson Rachel Holland told Axios.
The parental control messaging isn't accidental. Meta has been under intense scrutiny after leaked internal documents revealed its chatbots were programmed to have "romantic" conversations with minors. Whistleblower reports later alleged the company suppressed child safety research, putting the social media giant on the defensive about AI safety.
"We'll support the election of state candidates across the country who embrace AI development, champion the U.S. technology industry, and defend American tech leadership at home and abroad," Meta VP of public policy Brian Rice told TechCrunch.
This isn't Meta's first political gambit this year. Last month, the company to back tech-friendly candidates in state races. But the American Technology Excellence Project represents a massive scaling-up, targeting multiple states with significantly more funding.
