Congressman Alex Boaz, District 73, speaks at the State Capitol on Wednesday, May 29, 2025 in Albany, New York.
Kenna Betancourt | AP
A bipartisan super PAC launched by a number of artificial intelligence leaders has chosen as its first target a Democratic congressional candidate who has helped lead efforts to put safeguards in the AI industry.
New York State Representative Alex Boas has pushed an “ideologically and politically motivated bill” that would “handcuff” the nation’s dominance in AI, the leaders of Leading the Future PAC said in a statement Monday morning.
Boas, who is running to represent New York’s 12th Congressional District, is co-sponsoring the RAISE Act. The bill is a New York state-level bill that would require the largest AI companies to disclose safety protocols against serious misuse of their technology, such as producing biological weapons or carrying out other criminal acts.
The bill, which stands for “Responsible AI Safety and Education,” would require companies to disclose significant incidents or face civil penalties from state attorneys general.
The bill passed the state House and Senate several months ago, but New York Gov. Cathy Hochul, a Democrat who has touted AI investments in the Empire State, has yet to sign it.
Boas and Andrew Gounardes, the bill’s other co-sponsor in Congress, argue that the RAISE Act was designed not to stifle innovation in the fast-moving field of AI. California’s controversial bill to put in place safety guardrails against AI was vetoed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in September amid concerns it would have a chilling effect on the industry.
Leading the Future, which launched over the summer with more than $100 million in support, argues that the RAISE Act poses a similar threat.
“The RAISE Act is a clear example of patchwork, ignorant, and bureaucratic state legislation that will slow U.S. progress and pave the way for China to win the global race for AI leadership,” PAC leaders and political strategists Zach Moffatt and Josh Vlast said in a statement.
“The United States needs a clear and consistent national regulatory framework for AI that strengthens our economy, creates jobs for American workers, supports vibrant communities, and protects users,” they said.
“Bills like the RAISE Act threaten America’s competitiveness, limit economic growth, expose users to foreign influence and manipulation, and undermine national security.”
“I have a master’s degree in computer science, two patents, and have worked in the technology industry for nearly a decade,” Boas said in a statement to CNBC. “If they’re afraid that people who know their business will regulate their business, that’s what they’re telling themselves.”
Late Monday morning, Boas turned the super PAC attack into a fundraising opportunity for his congressional primary campaign.
“If you don’t want Trump mega-donors writing all your tech policy, join us in our opposition,” he wrote to X.
Leading the Future is backed by venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz. Palantir Co-founder Joe Lonsdale, AI search engine company Perplexity, SV Angel founder Ron Conway, and many more.
The group touts itself as a nonpartisan enterprise. Moffat is the CEO of Target Victory, a Republican-leaning political strategist, and Brust previously worked for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
NBC News reported in October that the AI-friendly Trump administration, which has worked to lower U.S. regulatory barriers and expand the industry, was unhappy with “leading the future” because of its collaboration with Democratic operatives.
Leading the Future announced in August that it plans to expand its operations in New York, California, Illinois and Ohio by the end of the year before expanding nationally in 2026.
Next year’s midterm elections will decide which party will control the House and Senate, which are currently dominated by Republicans.
— CNBC’s Emily Wilkins contributed to this report.
