A newly formed pro-AI super PAC, “Leading the Future,” supported by prominent tech figures including Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI President Greg Brockman, has identified New York Assembly member Alex Bores as its first target due to his congressional bid and advocacy for AI regulation. Established in August with commitments exceeding $100 million, the PAC seeks to support policymakers favoring minimal oversight of AI, while opposing those championing regulatory safeguards. Additional backing comes from Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale and AI search engine Perplexity, signaling a concerted effort by Silicon Valley to influence legislative outcomes.

Bores, running for New York’s 12th Congressional District, acknowledged the PAC’s opposition, noting its transparency in declaring an intent to spend millions against him. His legislative push responds to constituents’ concerns over AI impacts, ranging from data center energy use and climate effects to automation’s influence on jobs and the potential mental health effects of AI chatbots on children.

Central to the dispute is the bipartisan RAISE Act, which Bores sponsors. The bill mandates that large AI labs establish safety plans to prevent critical harms, disclose significant incidents such as stolen models, and refrain from releasing models posing unreasonable risks. Companies failing to comply face civil penalties of up to $30 million. During drafting, Bores engaged with major AI firms like OpenAI and Anthropic, removing provisions such as third-party safety audits to address industry concerns.

Despite concessions, Silicon Valley has been vocal in opposition. Zac Moffatt and Josh Vlasto of Leading the Future criticized Bores for promoting “ideological and politically motivated legislation,” claiming it would harm New York’s and the U.S.’s AI competitiveness, impede economic growth, expose users to foreign influence, and give China an advantage in the global AI race. The PAC intends a multibillion-dollar campaign to challenge Bores’ congressional run.

The debate highlights a broader regulatory struggle: Silicon Valley favors a single national AI framework, while state-level bills like the RAISE Act serve as policy laboratories in the absence of federal regulation. Bores argues that preempting state efforts should only occur once Congress has enacted meaningful AI safeguards, emphasizing that states can act quickly to mitigate emerging AI risks.