The Anthropic-backed PAC has stepped into a high-stakes political contest, supporting New York Assembly member Alex Bores after he was targeted by a rival AI industry super PAC. The move highlights a growing divide within the artificial intelligence sector over regulation, transparency, and public oversight.

Public First Action, backed by a $20 million contribution from AI company Anthropic, is now funding Bores’ congressional campaign as part of a broader push to shape the future direction of AI governance.

Anthropic-Backed PAC Supports Alex Bores

The Anthropic-backed PAC is spending $450,000 to support Alex Bores in the race for New York’s 12th congressional district, according to a report by Bloomberg. The committee positions itself as pro-AI but advocates a regulatory framework focused on safety standards, transparency, and stronger public oversight of artificial intelligence technologies.

Bores became a central figure in the AI policy debate after sponsoring New York’s RAISE Act, legislation that requires major AI developers to disclose safety protocols and report serious misuse of their systems. The proposed measure has drawn both support and criticism across the technology industry.

By backing Bores, the Anthropic-backed PAC is promoting a vision of AI development that emphasizes accountability alongside innovation.

Rival AI Super PAC Launches Attack Campaign

The political contest intensified after Leading the Future, a pro-AI industry super PAC, launched an aggressive campaign opposing Bores’ congressional bid. The group has raised more than $100 million from major technology backers, including venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, OpenAI President Greg Brockman, AI startup Perplexity, and Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale.

According to reports, Leading the Future has already spent $1.1 million on advertisements targeting Bores, largely due to his support for regulatory measures such as the RAISE Act.

The clash between the two committees reflects competing priorities within the AI sector—one advocating industry flexibility and rapid development, and the other calling for stronger safeguards and governance.

Growing Divide Over AI Regulation

The emergence of the Anthropic-backed PAC highlights an evolving debate about how artificial intelligence should be regulated in the United States. While both political action committees support AI advancement, they differ sharply on how much oversight is necessary.

Public First Action promotes transparency and safety-focused regulation, arguing that public accountability is essential as AI technologies become more powerful and widespread. Meanwhile, industry-backed groups have raised concerns that stricter regulations could slow innovation and impact global competitiveness.

The political battle around Bores’ campaign illustrates how AI policy is increasingly shaping electoral contests and influencing the broader technology landscape.

AI Policy Becomes a Political Battleground

The involvement of major technology companies and well-funded political groups signals that artificial intelligence governance is becoming a key issue in U.S. elections. The Anthropic-backed PAC’s support for Bores represents one of the most visible efforts by an AI company to influence policy direction through political engagement.

As lawmakers, industry leaders, and advocacy groups continue to debate the future of AI regulation, the outcome of such contests may play a critical role in determining how AI systems are governed, monitored, and deployed in the years ahead.