Anthropic Pledges $20M to Propel AI Regulation Ahead of 2026 Elections
AI pioneer, Anthropic, has stepped into the political arena with a hefty $20 million donation to Public First Action. This bipartisan political advocacy group champions candidates who advocate for stringent safety regulations in the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence (AI). This move marks a significant intensification in the tech industry’s political skirmishes over AI governance.
The donation, unveiled on February 12, 2026, places Anthropic in direct opposition to its rival, OpenAI, and venture capital heavyweight, Andreessen Horowitz. The latter’s super PAC, “Leading the Future”, has amassed a substantial $125 million war chest to back candidates who favor a more laissez-faire approach to AI regulation. Public First Action, on the other hand, plans to support 30 to 50 candidates from both sides of the aisle in state and federal races who champion AI transparency and safeguards.
In a statement, Anthropic highlighted the current lack of organized efforts to mobilize those who grasp the stakes of AI development. The company underscored the urgency of implementing flexible regulation that strikes a balance between reaping AI benefits and managing associated risks. This includes instituting protections against potential threats such as AI-enabled cyberattacks and biological weapons.
Anthropic has set itself apart from its competitors by staunchly advocating for stringent AI regulations. Meanwhile, OpenAI and other tech firms have actively lobbied against state-level AI safety rules. Already, the group has initiated ad campaigns in support of candidates like Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn. Blackburn, who is vying for the Tennessee governor’s seat, has resisted congressional efforts to prevent states from enacting their own AI laws.
Source: CNBC