An artificial intelligence industry-backed super PAC launched a $10 million campaign Monday to push Congress to create a national AI policy that would override a patchwork of state laws, the group told CNBC.
The “Leading the Future” campaign, launched over the summer with more than $100 million in initial funding, shows how the burgeoning industry plans to leverage its wealth and power in next year’s midterm elections.
“There is widespread public demand for Congressional action and a unified national approach to AI,” said Nathan Riemer, executive director of Build American AI, the PAC’s advocacy arm. “We are excited to build this platform to engage with members of Congress and effect change for Americans who are excited about the future of AI.”
The campaign will feature television, digital and social media ads, as well as 10,000 phone calls to Congressional offices this week alone, according to a campaign memo shared with CNBC.
President Donald Trump already seems convinced, writing on Truth Social last Tuesday that “America must have one federal standard, not a patchwork of 50 state regulatory systems.”
The same day, Riemer posted a photo of himself at the White House and said he was there to discuss “the need for a national AI framework.”
The PAC’s mobilization comes as the White House and Republicans in Congress are working to rein in states’ ability to enforce AI laws.
The plan is to include the language in one of the must-pass spending bills expected to be voted on by Congress in the coming months, people familiar with the ongoing discussions told CNBC.
Meanwhile, a draft executive order unveiled last week aims to preempt state AI laws by creating a new AI Litigation Task Force and threatening to withhold federal funding.
The Trump administration is friendly toward AI, seeking to encourage the industry by lowering regulatory barriers, and plans to sign an executive order related to AI later Monday, a senior official told reporters at the White House pool.
It’s unclear whether the order is the same or similar to a draft order circulating out of the White House. The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for clarification. President Trump is scheduled to sign the executive order in the Oval Office at 4 p.m. ET.
Leading the Future is backed by a number of AI industry leaders, including venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz, Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, AI search engine company Perplexity, and SV Angel founder Ron Conway.
The PAC recently announced its first target for the 2026 midterm elections: New York State Congressman Alex Boaz, who is running in a crowded Democratic primary for the Manhattan borough seat held by retiring Congressman Jerry Nadler.
Boas co-sponsored the RAISE Act, which codified safety protocols for the largest AI companies. The bill has passed the state House, but Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul has not yet signed it.
“Ultimately we should have a federal AI standard, and I strongly agree with that,” Boas told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” Monday morning.
“But the debate right now is whether we should block the states’ progress before the federal government solves the problem, or whether we should actually work together to get the federal government to solve the problem,” Boas said.
