Mark Zuckerberg's Meta makes the biggest election investment to promote politicians who are friendly to …

Facebook parent Meta is reportedly planning its largest-ever election-related spending effort to date this year. The Mark Zuckerberg-led social media giant may have plans to spend $65 million to support state-level political candidates who support the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. According to a report quoting officials from the companies, Meta’s lobbying efforts are soon going to start in the states of Texas and Illinois. This is part of a larger trend in the company’s political engagement, as there is an increasing debate about regulating AI in US states.

The company had previously taken a more limited approach to political funding, relying mainly on contributions through its corporate political action committee. At the same time, senior executives, including former chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg, backed candidates in personal capacities. According to a New York Times report, company representatives said the increased spending is linked to concerns that emerging state legislation could affect AI development, prompting Meta to engage more directly in political campaigns tied to technology policy.

How Meta is planning to influence US state-level AI regulation with political spending

Meta is investing $65 million through four super PACs to support state politicians who back the AI industry, as the tech company moves to shape the regulatory environment around AI development across the US. The company has quietly established two new political groups: Forge the Future Project, which backs Republicans, and Making Our Tomorrow, which supports Democrats.

These two groups are set to join two existing entities, the American Technology Excellence Project and Mobilising Economic Transformation Across California. The spending reflects Meta's concerns that a fragmented web of state-level AI laws could slow the industry's growth.

Last year, Meta's public policy VP, Brian Rice, said that the company was entering politics because of "inconsistent regulations that threaten homegrown innovation and investments in AI".

The company's paperwork filed with the Internal Revenue Service states that the American Technology Excellence Project “was formed to support the election of state and local candidates — regardless of party affiliation — who promote and defend U.S. technology companies and leadership, advocate for A.I. progress, and promote parental oversight over their children's online activities."

Texas and Illinois are the first two states where Meta is deploying funds, with primaries approaching in both. In Texas, where Meta has three AI data centre projects, the Forge the Future Project is backing Republican legislators. Data centres, the computing infrastructure that powers AI, have become a flashpoint in the state, with local officials clashing over construction proposals.

Brian Baker, the Republican strategist leading Meta's Texas effort, said the group's “focus is on elevating Republican leaders who have demonstrated a strong commitment to championing America's tech future and maintaining our global competitive edge," adding that the PAC would fund advertising and get-out-the-vote activities.

In Illinois, where Meta struck a deal last year to source power from a nuclear plant to run its operations, the Democratic-led legislature has passed several AI regulations. The Making Our Tomorrow group is targeting at least four State House races there.

“Making Our Tomorrow's mission is to elect Democrats who champion the policies, innovation and technologies that drive opportunity for all Americans,” Peter Kauffman, a spokesman for the group, told the NYT.

This reflects a larger trend in AI-aligned groups, which have increasingly turned their attention to state capitols, where legislative races can be had for relatively low cost. Meta has not publicly touted its new PACs, although they are listed as being affiliated with Meta in federal filings.