Hello friends! Today, we’re diving into some exciting news about Meta’s new plans to influence AI regulation politics in California. Buckle up!

Meta is gearing up to launch a super PAC called Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across California, aiming to support candidates favoring light-touch AI regulation. The company plans to invest tens of millions of dollars into this effort, as reported by Politico. The move is part of Meta’s strategy to shape the regulatory environment in Sacramento, fearing overregulation might hinder innovation and AI progress, risking California’s tech dominance.

Brian Rice, Meta’s VP of public policy, emphasized that strict regulation could slow down AI advancements and threaten the state’s leadership in technology. Earlier this year, Meta targeted legislation like SB-53, which would require AI companies to report safety issues, and helped block the Kids Online Safety Act, signaling their active involvement in policy shaping. The new PAC will also donate to various bipartisan candidates, hinting at Meta’s desire to sway statewide elections, including the 2026 governor’s race.

Various tech giants, including Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI, are contributing substantial funds to similar pro-AI initiatives, showing how fiercely these tech firms are competing to influence AI policy. Meta’s initiative demonstrates a clear goal to maintain a favorable environment for AI innovation while impacting political outcomes in California.

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