Key facts
- A pro-AI super PAC, Leading the Future, spent over $8 million in a New York Democratic primary.
- The PAC aimed to defeat Alex Bores, who authored the state's AI safety law.
- Bores lost the primary, coming in a close second.
- The winner, Micah Lasher, also supports AI regulations.
- AI safety advocates see the outcome as a strategic victory and a sign of public opinion shifting.
- The PAC's effectiveness is questioned after the loss, with indications of reduced future intervention.
A significant expenditure by a pro-artificial intelligence super PAC, Leading the Future, failed to unseat New York Assemblymember Alex Bores in a Democratic primary race, signaling a potential shift in public opinion regarding AI regulation. The PAC had invested over $8 million to oppose Bores, who authored the state's AI safety law and advocated for stricter rules on the technology.
Despite the substantial spending, Bores secured a close second place in the race to replace outgoing Rep. Jerry Nadler. The outcome has been interpreted by AI safety advocates as a strategic victory, demonstrating that political pressure from the tech industry may not be as imposing as previously feared. The winner, Micah Lasher, also aligns with a critical stance on AI regulation and supports a data center moratorium.
The contest also highlighted internal divisions within the tech industry, particularly the ongoing feud between OpenAI and Anthropic concerning AI safety measures. While Leading the Future was backed by significant funding from OpenAI and venture capitalists, Bores also received substantial support from an Anthropic-linked super PAC network. AI regulation supporters argue that the backlash against the pro-AI spending may embolden other candidates to challenge the industry.
Sources familiar with Leading the Future's strategy suggest the group is unlikely to engage in similar high-profile, negative campaigns against other candidates this year, indicating a potential reassessment of their approach. The race's attention and the outcome have bolstered the AI safety movement's fundraising and visibility.