VC-Backed PAC Launches Ads to Convince Voters Data Centers Are Great, Actually
Super PAC backed by tech billionaires spends millions to convince voters in three states that data centers are wonderful, while OpenAI pretends it doesn't know them.
A new group with a name that sounds like it was generated by an AI told to be patriotic - Build American AI - is gearing up to bombard voters in key battleground states with ads extolling the virtues of data centers. Because nothing says 'grassroots' like a super PAC funded by billionaires.
The group, affiliated with the pro-AI super PAC Leading the Future (LTF), plans to focus its multi-million-dollar ad blitz on Kansas, Ohio, and Wisconsin, where data centers have apparently become the hot-button issue no one saw coming. LTF, which launched with over $50 million in funding, has been busy donating to politicians who love AI and opposing those who don't.
LTF has become so notorious that OpenAI felt the need to publicly disassociate itself in June, clarifying that while its President Greg Brockman and his wife Anna support the PAC, OpenAI has no control over its actions. OpenAI also took a swipe at LTF's tactics, condemning 'astroturfing' - you know, making a paid campaign look like spontaneous public support. Because nothing says 'honest about whom they represent' like a super PAC named after a patriotic slogan.
But LTF isn't alone in the AI-politics game. Anthropic supports Public First Action, a group that backs AI regulation, because apparently even AI companies can't agree on anything. Meanwhile, Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz are spending on politics like it's their job - which, technically, it isn't, but The New York Times reports their firm is the biggest donor to the midterms, shelling out over $115 million in disclosed federal contributions, outspending Elon Musk and George Soros. They're also big into crypto, because why not hedge your bets on two controversial technologies at once?
The Good Times
News in your inbox.
One sardonic roundup, delivered on your schedule. Free. Unsubscribe whenever your tolerance for wit runs out.
Already subscribed but we never reach your inbox? Check your spam folder and hit 'Not spam' (or 'Remove from spam') to bust us out of junk-mail purgatory. You'll be helping everyone else too.
Don't open any of our emails for a month and you'll be automatically removed from the mailing list.
Rewrite Article
Select parts to regenerate with a fresh AI pass. Translations will be updated automatically.
Generate AI Image
Creates a sardonic version of the article image using OpenAI.