The AI industry is pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into super PACs ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. OsakaWayne Studios/Getty Images The AI industry is poised to spend big on politics in 2026. Multiple super PACs backed by prominent tech-world figures have cropped up. Here are the ones to watch as the year goes on. Artificial intelligence is poised to play a big role in politics this year — and not just when it comes to AI-generated content. Several super PACs backed by figures in the tech industry have formed ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Some of the groups plan to support candidates who are friendly towards the AI industry and will take a lighter regulatory approach to the technology. At least one group has been formed explicitly to combat the influence of those pro-AI groups. Here are the super PACs to keep an eye on as the year progresses. Leading the Future OpenAI President Greg Brockman and his wife Anna are among the backers of Leading the Future. Michael Loccisano/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images The biggest player so far is Leading the Future, a pro-AI network of super PACs that says it has already raised $100 million. In an August press release, the group listed a variety of supporters, including: Andreesen Horowitz; OpenAI CEO Greg Brockman and his wife Anna; SV Angel Founder Ron Conway; 8VC Founder Joe Lonsdale; Perplexity. It's unclear how much money each entity has contributed to the group, as it has not been required to disclose donors yet. The group says it plans to serve as the "political and policy center of gravity for the AI industry" and will "support candidates aligned with the pro-AI agenda" and "oppose those that do not." The group has already begun spending. Think Big, a PAC affiliated with the group, has spent over $118,000 against Assemblyman Alex Bores in the Democratic primary for New York's 12th congressional district. And American Mission, a separate affiliated PAC, has spent over $243,000 backing GOP candidate Chris Gober in Texas's 10th congressional district. Public First Former Reps. Chris Stewart (left) and Brad Carson (right) launched Public First. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; Courtesy/Public First In response to Leading the Future, two former congressmen — Republican Chris Stewart of Utah and Democrat Brad Carson of Oklahoma — have formed their own competing political network to back candidates who support AI regulation, called Public First. The group is aiming to raise $50 million for its effort, well short of what the pro-AI groups have raised. But Carson told Business Insider he feels good about Public First's odds, given that the American public is broadly supportive of AI regulation. "We have $50 million and 85% of public sentiment. They have 15% of public settlement, and $100 million," Carson said. "I will take our side of that bet any day." The group has not yet disclosed donors, though Carson said that Public First would have financial support from employees at a variety of AI companies. "There's going to be people from across the AI sector, as well as far beyond the AI sector, who contribute to the effort," Carson said. The group has two affiliated super PACs: one that supports Democrats called Jobs and Democracy PAC, and another that supports Republicans called Defending Our Values PAC. Neither has spent in any election so far. Two Meta-backed super PACs Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Taylor Hill/Getty Images Meta is also getting into the super PAC game, establishing two different PACs last year to support candidates aligned with their vision for AI regulation. Unlike the other PACs, Meta's efforts will focus primarily on the state level. One PAC, called Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across (Meta) California, will focus specifically on the Golden State, where Meta is headquartered. "As home to many of the world's leading AI companies, California's innovation economy has an outsized impact on America's economic growth, job creation, and global competitiveness," a Meta spokesperson said. "But Sacramento's regulatory environment could stifle innovation, block AI progress, and put California's technology leadership at risk." The spokesperson added that the PAC would back candidates in both parties who "recognize California's vital role in AI development and embrace policies that will keep the state at the forefront of the global tech ecosystem." A separate PAC, the American Technology Excellence Project, will focus on races in other states. "Amid a growing patchwork of inconsistent regulations that threaten homegrown innovation and investments in AI, state lawmakers are uniquely positioned to ensure that America remains a global technology leader," Meta VP of Public Policy Brian Rice said in a statement. Neither PAC has spent significant sums yet. Read the original article on Business Insider