AI Super PAC Targets New York Assembly Member Over AI Safety Bill

A pro-AI super PAC backed by Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI President Greg Brockman has chosen New York Assembly member Alex Bores and his congressional bid as its first target. The PAC, dubbed Leading the Future, formed in August with a more than $100 million commitment to support policymakers with a light-touch or no-touch approach to AI regulation. This means going after policymakers who want to regulate AI, a move that has sparked concerns about the influence of tech giants on politics. According to Bores, the super PAC has been straightforward about its intentions, and he welcomes the challenge. "When they say, 'Hey, we're going to spend millions against Alex because he might regulate Big Tech and put basic guardrails on AI,' I just basically forward that to my constituents," Bores told a room of journalists Monday evening at a Journalism Workshop on AGI impacts and governance in Washington, D.C. Bores, who is running to represent the state's 12th Congressional District, said AI anxieties are on the rise among his constituents, who worry about everything from data centers pushing up utility bills and worsening climate change to chatbots and AI-powered services that may displace jobs. The super PAC, Leading the Future, has backing from prominent leaders in tech, including Palantir co-founder and 8VC managing partner Joe Lonsdale, as well as AI search engine Perplexity. The group's formation in August marked a significant development in the ongoing debate about AI regulation, with many experts warning that the rapid growth of AI poses significant risks to society if not managed properly. Bores' proposed AI safety bill in New York aims to establish guardrails for the development and deployment of AI, including requirements for transparency and accountability. The bill has been met with opposition from some in the tech industry, who argue that it could stifle innovation and hinder the development of beneficial AI applications. The battle over AI regulation is likely to intensify in the coming months, with many policymakers and industry leaders weighing in on the issue. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the consequences of inaction could be severe. Bores' congressional bid is set to take place in 2024, and the super PAC's efforts to target him are likely to continue in the lead-up to the election. As the campaign heats up, it remains to be seen how the public will respond to the involvement of tech giants in politics and the implications of AI regulation for society as a whole.