US tech giants open their wallets for AI-friendly politicians

Meta is among tech giants reportedly funding US politicians friendly to the AI industry, as concerns mount over a huge expansion in datacenter building and the effects of AI on everyday life.

According to The New York Times, Meta is set to spend $65 million this year backing politicians who are sympathetic to its cause.

This is driven by concerns that its AI ambitions might be hampered by regulations intended to keep people safe, plus growing opposition from communities to giant data campuses popping up in their local area.

Meta is starting up two new super PACs (Political Action Committees – organizations to influence election outcomes), the NYT says, which will join two others it has already formed. One group, "Forge the Future Project,", targets ...