As reported by Axios, in the midst of a significant pushback from major tech firms against AI regulation, Meta has ramped up its financial commitment. The tech giant has created a super political action committee (PAC), dubbed the 'American Technology Excellence Project,' earmarking 'tens of millions of dollars' to counteract state-level technology policy initiatives that might impede the progress of artificial intelligence. Earlier, Meta had also established a PAC dedicated to California, aimed at bolstering candidates favorable to the tech sector. This newly formed super PAC will be co-managed by prominent Republican leaders and Democratic consulting entities, with the overarching objective of aiding tech-friendly politicians from both major parties in securing victories in the upcoming midterm elections next year.

Meta clarified that the committee's primary focus will be on bolstering the preeminence of the U.S. tech industry, championing advancements in AI technology, and enabling parents to exert greater control over their children's engagement with online applications and AI technologies. At present, Meta has refrained from revealing the specific states the committee will target or the number of personnel it intends to recruit. The formation of this committee coincides with a flurry of AI regulation bills being proposed across various U.S. states, with California alone having two AI-related bills pending the governor's approval.

This year, Silicon Valley has intensified its campaign to stymie the enactment of AI-related legislation at the state level, contending that such 'fragmented' regulatory approaches across different states would present compliance hurdles for major AI companies and stifle the pace of innovation. Previously, a super PAC based in Silicon Valley had already allocated a staggering $100 million specifically to oppose AI regulation.