Meta is stepping deeper into the political arena with the creation of a national super political action committee (PAC), according to a report from Axios. The initiative, named the American Technology Excellence Project, will focus on resisting what the company describes as “onerous” artificial intelligence regulations being introduced across the United States. Company spokesperson Rachel Holland confirmed that Meta is committing tens of millions of dollars to this effort.
The new PAC aims to support the election of state-level candidates from both parties who are seen as advocates for AI growth and industry-friendly policies. The group will be led by Republican strategist Brian Baker, alongside the Democratic consulting firm Hilltop Public Solutions, ensuring bipartisan coordination in its operations.
While the federal government has signaled no immediate intention to regulate AI, it has also not blocked states from pursuing their own measures. This has resulted in over 1,000 separate state proposals this year alone, many of which Meta believes could hinder America’s ability to compete with China in the race for AI dominance.
“State lawmakers are uniquely positioned to ensure that America remains a global technology leader,” said Brian Rice, Meta’s Vice President of Public Policy, in a statement. “This is why Meta is launching an effort to support the election of state candidates across the country who embrace AI development, champion the U.S. technology industry and defend American tech leadership at home and abroad.”
At this stage, Meta has not disclosed which state elections will be influenced by the PAC’s funding, nor how many staff members will be employed to run its activities.
This is not Meta’s first foray into political funding. The company recently established a California-based PAC designed to safeguard the interests of the tech and AI sectors. California has taken some of the most aggressive legislative actions in this area, including passing a law to protect the digital likeness of actors and introducing bills aimed at reducing election misinformation and preventing AI systems from causing “critical harm.”
Nationally, the political environment remains complex. While the Trump administration has promoted AI innovation, it has also imposed boundaries. Recently, the president signed an executive order prohibiting “woke AI” from use within the federal government. Critics have pointed out that the term “woke AI” lacks clarity, but the order underscores the administration’s approach to shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
Meta’s move signals a major escalation in the ongoing debate over who will shape AI regulation in the United States. With significant financial resources and bipartisan backing, the American Technology Excellence Project could play a pivotal role in defining how the next wave of AI policies are written at the state level.
