Meta Launches Super PAC to Push Back Against State-Level AI Regulations
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is stepping deeper into the political arena with a new super PAC aimed at fighting state-level policies that could slow down artificial intelligence (AI) development. According to Axios, the company plans to invest tens of millions of dollars into this initiative, highlighting Big Tech’s growing resistance to mounting AI regulations.
The American Technology Excellence Project
The new group, called the American Technology Excellence Project, is Meta’s latest move to protect AI innovation from what it views as restrictive laws. It follows the company’s recent launch of a California-focused PAC to support tech-friendly candidates in state elections.
The bipartisan effort will be run by Republican strategist Brian Baker and Democratic consulting firm Hilltop Public Solutions. Their mission: back politicians who support U.S. tech leadership, AI progress, and parental control over children’s online experiences.
Child Safety in the Spotlight
Meta is under pressure on the child safety front. Reports revealed its AI chatbots were at times engaging in “romantic” conversations with minors, and whistleblowers claimed the company suppressed internal research on youth safety. By emphasizing parental control in its PAC agenda, Meta is trying to balance AI innovation with safety concerns.
The Growing Wave of AI Legislation
The super PAC arrives at a moment when AI regulation is surging at the state level. In 2025 alone, lawmakers introduced more than 1,000 AI-related bills across all 50 states.
In California, two major bills are awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision:
SB 243 – Regulates AI companion chatbots to protect minors and vulnerable users.
SB 53 – Requires new transparency standards for large AI firms.
Meta has not yet specified which states the PAC will focus on or how many people it will employ.
Big Tech’s Broader Push Against AI Rules
Meta isn’t alone. Silicon Valley heavyweights are ramping up efforts to push back on state-driven AI laws, warning that a patchwork of rules could hurt innovation and slow the U.S. in its AI race against China.
Last month, Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI president Greg Brockman launched a separate super PAC with $100 million to campaign against AI restrictions.
Earlier this year, a proposal to block states from regulating AI for 10 years almost made it into the federal budget but was ultimately struck down.
What’s Next?
As the 2025 midterm elections approach, expect more clashes between lawmakers and tech giants. Meta’s VP of Public Policy, Brian Rice, said the PAC will support candidates who “embrace AI development, champion U.S. technology, and defend American leadership in the global AI race.”
With billions at stake and regulatory pressure building, the fight over how AI is governed in the U.S. is only just beginning.
