Meta is launching a super PAC, called Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across California, to back California candidates who support minimal AI regulation, according to Politico. This move aligns with other Silicon Valley leaders.
The new PAC is part of a larger trend among Silicon Valley leaders, including Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI’s Greg Brockman, who are committing $100 million to a new pro-AI super PAC. Meta plans to invest tens of millions of dollars in its PAC.
Brian Rice, Meta’s VP of public policy and head of the PAC, expressed concerns that California’s regulatory environment could impede innovation and hinder AI progress, potentially jeopardizing the state’s technology leadership. “California’s regulatory environment could impede innovation and hinder AI progress,” he said, highlighting the potential risks of over-regulation.
Earlier this year, Meta lobbied against State Senator Scott Wiener’s SB-53 bill, which would have mandated AI companies to disclose safety and security protocols and report safety incidents. This move was part of a broader effort by Meta to shape the regulatory landscape in California.
Meta also played a role in blocking the Kids Online Safety Act last year, further demonstrating its commitment to influencing legislation related to technology and online safety.
Having already contributed to multiple down-ballot candidates from both parties, Meta’s new PAC indicates a strategy to exert influence on statewide elections, including the 2026 gubernatorial race. This move is likely to have significant implications for the state’s political landscape and the future of AI regulation in California.
