A super PAC that supports AI, with backing from Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI President Greg Brockman, has selected New York Assembly member Alex Bores — along with his campaign for Congress — to be its initial target.
The PAC, known as Leading the Future, was established in August, committing over $100 million to back politicians who favor a hands-off — or very light touch — stance on AI regulation. This means targeting those politicians who aim to regulate AI. The super PAC is supported by several other notable figures in the tech world, such as Palantir co-founder and 8VC managing partner Joe Lonsdale, as well as the AI search engine Perplexity.
“I value their transparency on this issue,” Bores stated to a group of journalists on Monday evening during a Journalism Workshop about AGI’s effects and governance held in Washington, D.C. “When they declare, ‘We plan to spend millions to oppose Alex because he might regulate Big Tech and introduce basic AI safeguards,’ I simply share that information with my constituents.”
Bores, who is campaigning to represent New York’s 12th Congressional District, mentioned that worries about AI are growing among his voters. Their concerns range from data centers increasing utility costs and worsening climate change, to the effects of chatbots on children’s mental well-being and the transformation of the job market through automation.
Bores is the primary sponsor of New York’s bipartisan RAISE Act. This act requires major AI labs to create a safety strategy to avert significant harm, adhere to their own safety plans, and report crucial safety incidents, like the theft of an AI model by malicious actors. The bill also stops AI companies from launching models that carry unacceptable risks of major harm and sets fines up to $30 million for firms that don’t meet these requirements. The legislation is now awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul’s approval.
Bores noted that he consulted with leading AI firms like OpenAI and Anthropic when drafting and revising the bill. These discussions led to the removal of elements such as third-party safety reviews, which he indicated the industry wouldn’t accept. Despite this, the RAISE Act, and Bores himself, seem to have drawn the anger of Silicon Valley.
Zac Moffatt and Josh Vlasto, who lead Leading the Future, informed Politico of their intentions to undertake a large-scale, multimillion-dollar campaign to undermine Bores’ election bid.
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In a statement provided to TechCrunch, they accused Bores of promoting “ideological and politically driven legislation that would restrict not only New York’s, but also the entire nation’s ability to be at the forefront of AI jobs and innovation.” The pair stated that “laws like the RAISE Act jeopardize American competitiveness, limit economic growth, leave users vulnerable to foreign influence and manipulation, and weaken our national security.”
“The RAISE Act clearly demonstrates the kind of disjointed, uninformed, and bureaucratic state regulations that could impede American advancement and allow China to dominate the global AI race,” Moffatt and Vlasto expressed in their emailed statement. “America requires a unified and clear national regulatory structure for AI that bolsters our economy, generates jobs for American workers, sustains vibrant communities, and safeguards users.”
Many in Silicon Valley have been advocating for a ban on states enacting AI-related regulations. Earlier this year, an attempt to include a clause blocking state AI laws in the federal budget bill was made, but it was later withdrawn. Now, legislators such as Sen. Ted Cruz are looking to revive it through alternative legislative channels.
Bores voiced his concern that such a movement could gain traction, especially given the federal government’s lack of significant AI regulation. He views states as policy innovators, capable of acting swiftly to test different approaches, much like startups, in areas where the federal government is slow to act.
“The key question is whether Congress has addressed the issue,” Bores questioned. “If Congress effectively addresses the issue, it can then instruct the states to step aside. However, if they fail to pass legislation that tackles the problems…and then prevent states from taking action, it simply doesn’t seem logical to me.”
Bores also mentioned his discussions with policymakers in other states to harmonize legislation, aiming to counter Silicon Valley’s concerns about a “patchwork” approach. He also emphasized the need for lawmakers to avoid overlaps with the EU AI Act.
Bores stressed that AI regulation is not intended to stifle innovation. He noted that he has opposed bills that he believed could have adverse effects on the industry.
“Establishing fundamental rules, whether literal or figurative, can actually foster innovation if done correctly,” Bores explained. “I strongly believe that the AI that succeeds will be the AI that is reliable. The industry’s resistance to the idea that government has a role in building that trust is, I believe, being challenged by people at all levels.”
