What AI companies want for the millions they're spending on elections

Oh, how wonderful — AI companies have discovered democracy, and they're throwing millions at it like it's a GPU cluster lease. CNBC reports that super PACs backed by the industry have raised over $200 million for the 2026 midterms, all in the name of 'pushing for AI regulation.' Because nothing says 'we want sensible guardrails' like funnelling cash into political action committees faster than a frontier model overfits on benchmark data. The article notes there are 'differences in what they're seeking' from lawmakers — which in plain English means some want regulation that locks out competitors, some want regulation that lets them keep scraping everything in sight, and a few brave souls might even want actual safety rules, but don't hold your breath.

Let's be honest: this isn't about protecting the public. It's about buying a seat at the table where the rules are written, so they can write them in pencil. The $200 million war chest is pocket change compared to the market caps of these companies — a small premium on ensuring the regulatory framework doesn't accidentally crimp their business models. Sam Altman can testify before Congress all he wants about the existential risks of AGI, but when his industry's super PAC is outspending the NRA, the message is clear: 'Here's a donation; now please regulate our competitors harder.'

And the irony? While lawmakers dither over AI bills that may never pass, the companies are already building the next generation of models that will render those hypothetical laws obsolete before the ink is dry on the donation cheques. Welcome to the 2026 midterms, brought to you by the same people who brought you chatbots that can't stop hallucinating about the 2020 election. At least this time they're being upfront about the buying of influence — it's almost refreshing.