Who's behind it
The same people getting rich
from AI are buying the rules.
A small network of Silicon Valley billionaires has poured over $125 million into "Leading the Future", a super PAC designed to elect politicians who will block AI regulation and protect their profits. Here's who they are.
Background
Marc Andreessen built a16z into one of Silicon Valley's most powerful venture firms, with over 70 AI companies in his portfolio. That gives him a direct, billion-dollar financial incentive to make sure AI regulation never happens.
Charges
- Led $50M contribution from a16z to Leading the Future, plus $25M personally
- Spent $22M backing GOP candidates in the 2024 cycle
- Met with Trump transition team to shape AI policy agenda
- Publicly opposed every major AI safety bill introduced in Congress
"The people pushing AI safety bills don't understand the technology and don't want to. They want control."— Marc Andreessen, podcast interview, 2024
Background
Joe Lonsdale co-founded Palantir, a surveillance and data company with deep government contracts. He's one of the most active political donors in Silicon Valley, funding both candidates and think tanks organized around a single goal: keeping AI unregulated.
Charges
- Backed 30+ candidates explicitly opposing AI safety legislation
- Funds multiple "AI freedom" think tanks including Foundation for American Innovation
- Connected to architects of Project 2025's tech policy chapter
- Lobbied against state-level AI accountability bills in Texas and Florida
"The people who want to regulate AI are the same people who want to regulate speech. It's about control, not safety."— Joe Lonsdale, Forbes interview, 2024
Background
Greg Brockman helped build OpenAI from a nonprofit research lab into a $100B+ company. Despite OpenAI's stated safety mission, he has consistently lobbied against every meaningful attempt at external oversight.
Charges
- He and his wife Anna donated $25M combined to Leading the Future
- Led OpenAI's campaign against California's SB 1047 safety bill
- Met with EU regulators to weaken AI Act enforcement provisions
- Opposed mandatory third-party auditing requirements for frontier AI models
"We can't let bureaucrats who don't understand the technology slow down progress."— Greg Brockman, Senate hearing testimony, 2023
NY Assemblyman Alex Bores on the Dangers of Leading the Future PAC
We're documenting every major donor and political operative behind Leading the Future.