Leading the Future super PAC
Leading the Future super PAC
Leading the Future represents a \$125 million industry effort to prevent AI regulation through political spending, directly opposing AI safety advocates and state-level oversight measures. This marks a significant escalation in AI governance battles, with major companies using political mechanisms to shape regulatory outcomes.
Quick Assessment
| Dimension | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Type | Bipartisan super PAC network |
| Launch date | August 25, 2025 |
| Total funding | $125 million raised (as of January 2026) |
| Cash reserves | $70 million |
| Key backers | OpenAI, Andreessen Horowitz, Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, SV Angel, Perplexity AI |
| Primary goal | Promote unified federal AI regulation over state-level "patchwork" laws |
| Target elections | 2026 U.S. midterm elections |
| Leadership | Zac Moffatt (CEO, Targeted Victory) and Josh Vlasto (former Fairshake strategist) |
Key Links
| Source | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Website | leadingthefuture.com |
| Wikipedia | en.wikipedia.org |
Overview
Leading the Future is a pro-AI industry super PAC launched in August 2025 by a coalition of major AI companies, venture capital firms, and Silicon Valley investors to shape federal AI policy and influence the 2026 U.S. midterm elections.12 With over $125 million raised and $70 million in cash reserves as of January 2026, it represents one of the largest political spending efforts by the technology sector focused specifically on AI regulation.3
The organization operates through a network of federal and state super PACs plus 501(c)(4) advocacy organizations, enabling it to conduct independent expenditures supporting pro-innovation candidates and opposing those who back stricter AI regulations.12 Its core mission is to advance a "responsible national framework" for AI governance at the federal level while resisting what it characterizes as fragmented state-level regulations.14 Key supporters include OpenAI President Greg Brockman, Andreessen Horowitz partners Marc Andreessen and Benjamin Horowitz, Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, and SV Angel founder Ron Conway.35
Leading the Future explicitly models itself on Fairshake, the cryptocurrency industry's super PAC that spent over $130 million in 2024 elections and successfully influenced several congressional races.6 The organization's launch reflects growing tensions between AI industry leaders who advocate for minimal federal oversight to maintain innovation speed and policymakers in states like California, New York, and Massachusetts who have advanced comprehensive AI safety and transparency legislation.7
History and Founding
Leading the Future was announced on August 25, 2025, in Washington, D.C., with initial commitments exceeding $100 million from top AI industry stakeholders.12 The super PAC's formation was directly inspired by the success of Fairshake, the pro-cryptocurrency political action committee that demonstrated how coordinated industry spending could reshape congressional races in 2024.6 Josh Vlasto, a co-founder of Leading the Future and former Fairshake spokesman, brought this strategic model to the AI industry.8
The organization's philosophical foundation aligns with the 2023 Techno-Optimist Manifesto published by Marc Andreessen of Andreessen Horowitz, which argued for unfettered technological innovation as a moral imperative.9 In internal documents and public statements, some backers have characterized AI deceleration as a threat to human lives, with manifestos framing opposition to rapid AI development in stark moral terms.9
Leading the Future launched operations initially in four states—New York, California, Illinois, and Ohio—with plans to expand nationally throughout 2026.12 The timing was strategic, positioning the organization to influence both primary and general election races during what supporters described as "ground zero" for AI policy battles.10
By January 2026, the super PAC network had raised $125 million total, with $70 million remaining in cash reserves distributed across its main organization ($39.3 million), affiliated super PACs Think Big ($5.4 million) and American Mission ($5 million), and advocacy arm Build American AI.311
Leadership and Key People
Leading the Future is co-led by Zac Moffatt and Josh Vlasto, who serve as the organization's primary strategists and executives.1213
Zac Moffatt is the founder and CEO of Targeted Victory LLC, a conservative political consulting firm that has raised over $2 billion online for Republican clients over two decades, including work for more than half of current Republican Senate and House leadership.1213 He previously served as digital director for Mitt Romney's presidential campaign and brings extensive experience in Republican political operations.13
Josh Vlasto is a partner at Bamberger & Vlasto LLC and previously served as spokesman and strategic media strategist for Fairshake, the cryptocurrency super PAC.1213 Before his work in tech industry advocacy, Vlasto worked for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, bringing Democratic political experience to complement Moffatt's Republican background.13
The organization's major funders and supporters include:
- Greg Brockman (OpenAI President and co-founder): Contributed $12.5 million personally, with another $12.5 million from his wife Anna Brockman35
- Marc Andreessen and Benjamin Horowitz (Andreessen Horowitz partners): $12.5 million each35
- Joe Lonsdale (8VC founder and Palantir co-founder): Major contributor35
- Ron Conway (SV Angel founder): Contributed $500,000 to affiliated Think Big PAC11
- Perplexity AI: Corporate backer12
Additional tech industry leaders are expected to join as endorsers and contributors throughout the 2026 election cycle.3
Funding and Financial Structure
Leading the Future disclosed total fundraising of $125 million in the second half of 2025, with $70 million in combined cash reserves across its network as of December 31, 2025.311 The main Leading the Future federal super PAC raised $50.3 million directly and held $39.3 million in cash on hand.11
The organization operates through multiple affiliated entities that received $5 million each in seed funding from the main super PAC:11
- Think Big super PAC: Holds $5.4 million in cash reserves; has conducted independent expenditures in Democratic primaries11
- American Mission super PAC: Holds $5 million in cash reserves; has supported Republican candidates11
- Build American AI: 501(c)(4) advocacy organization for policy development, legislative scorecards, and grassroots campaigns111
Major individual contributions include:
| Donor | Amount | Recipient |
|---|---|---|
| Greg Brockman and Anna Brockman | $12.5 million each ($25 million total) | Leading the Future |
| Marc Andreessen | $12.5 million | Leading the Future |
| Benjamin Horowitz | $12.5 million | Leading the Future |
| Ron Conway | $500,000 | Think Big PAC |
| Joe Lonsdale (via Lonsdale Enterprises) | $250,000 | American Mission PAC |
The super PAC structure allows unlimited fundraising from corporations, individuals, and other organizations, with disclosure required only through periodic Federal Election Commission filings.11 As a 501(c)(4) organization, Build American AI can engage in political advocacy without disclosing its donors, leading critics to characterize it as a "dark money advocacy offshoot."14
Activities and Campaign Strategy
Leading the Future employs a multi-layered political strategy combining direct candidate support, opposition campaigns, policy advocacy, and grassroots organizing.12 The organization's federal-level activities focus on identifying and supporting candidates who advocate for a unified national AI regulatory framework while opposing those who back state-level regulations.12
At the state level, Leading the Future works to elevate candidates who resist what it characterizes as "fragmented" regulatory approaches in states like California, New York, Massachusetts, and Colorado, where comprehensive AI legislation has advanced.715 The organization's 501(c)(4) arms conduct policy development, create legislative scorecards rating lawmakers on AI issues, coordinate grassroots campaigns, and provide rapid response to counter what they term "doomer" narratives about AI risks.12
In its first major campaign expenditures, affiliated super PACs demonstrated the aggressive tactics the organization would employ:
- Think Big PAC spent over $118,000 opposing New York Assemblyman Alex Bores in the Democratic primary for New York's 12th congressional district, later spending an additional $326,000 on television and digital ads.1617
- American Mission PAC spent over $243,000 supporting Republican candidate Chris Gober in Texas's 10th congressional district.16
The Think Big PAC attacks on Alex Bores proved particularly controversial, as they focused on his previous work as a Palantir engineer, alleging he had built technology enabling ICE deportations—despite the fact that Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale was a major funder of Leading the Future.17 Bores' campaign sent a cease-and-desist letter to Think Big PAC and television stations, calling the ads false and defamatory, but the PAC continued its spending.17
Leading the Future has explicitly stated its intention to oppose prominent AI safety advocates and researchers, referring to figures like Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio as "AI doomers" whose regulatory proposals would undermine U.S. competitiveness against China.1819 The organization frames AI regulation as a national security issue, arguing that excessive oversight would enable Chinese dominance in the technology sector.120
Opposition to State-Level AI Regulation
A central focus of Leading the Future's political strategy is opposing state-level AI legislation, which the organization characterizes as creating a compliance "patchwork" that would hinder innovation.715 The super PAC has targeted lawmakers who sponsor or support AI safety bills, most notably Alex Bores in New York, who authored the RAISE Act requiring AI companies to submit safety plans, conduct transparency disclosures, and face penalties up to $30 million for violations.21
Despite Bores' claims that his legislation was developed in consultation with OpenAI and Anthropic and that requirements for third-party audits were removed based on industry feedback, Leading the Future characterized the bill as anti-innovation and made him a primary target.21 The controversy highlighted tensions within the AI industry itself, with some companies privately supporting regulatory frameworks while industry-funded political organizations publicly opposed them.
California has been another major battleground, where comprehensive AI legislation covering algorithmic accountability, deepfake disclosure, transparency requirements, testing standards, and liability provisions advanced through the state legislature in 2025.7 Leading the Future positioned itself against these efforts, arguing that companies would face impossible compliance challenges if forced to navigate fifty different state regulatory frameworks with potentially conflicting requirements.7
Criticisms and Controversies
Leading the Future has faced substantial criticism from AI safety advocates, pro-regulation lawmakers, and public interest groups who characterize the organization as an attempt to use financial power to block oversight of a potentially dangerous technology.
Public Sentiment and Democratic Opposition
A competing super PAC called Public First, co-founded by former Republican Representative Chris Stewart and former Democratic Representative Brad Carson, launched with a $50 million fundraising goal to support pro-regulation candidates from both parties.2022 Carson argued that Leading the Future represents only "15% of public sentiment" despite having "$100 million," citing polling data showing broad public support for AI regulation.20
Multiple surveys support this claim. A Gallup poll found that 80% of Americans support AI safety measures even if they slow development, while Pew Research documented bipartisan concern about AI risks.23 Michael Kleinman of the Future of Life Institute stated, "Big Tech can't buy trust," arguing that the AI industry is "out of step with public opinion."23
Accusations of Hypocrisy and False Advertising
The Think Big PAC attacks on Alex Bores generated particular controversy due to perceived hypocrisy. Bores accused the organization of attacking him for Palantir work building ICE technology while being funded by Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, who remains a Trump supporter.17 Bores characterized the ads as "dirty politics" and sent legal threats to television stations airing them, though the stations continued running the spots.17
Concerns About Industry Capture
Critics, including Bores and advocacy groups like Encode AI, have characterized Leading the Future's spending as an attempt to secure "unbridled control" over AI's development and deployment across workforce, education, utilities, and climate policy.2024 Bores framed the $100 million expenditure as a "venture capital investment" with potential "trillion-dollar returns," suggesting that industry backers view political spending as financially rational given AI's economic stakes.20
Sunny Gandhi, Vice President of Encode AI, described the dynamic as "David versus Goliath," with youth-led advocacy organizations and individual lawmakers facing a "$125 million behemoth" seeking to prevent any meaningful oversight.24 The organization has been accused of embracing "crypto-style" aggressive tactics, with reports indicating internal discussions about strategies to "tear apart" political opponents and "throw obscene amounts of money at politicians" to block regulatory oversight.25
National Security Framing Disputes
Leading the Future consistently frames AI regulation as a national security risk, arguing that U.S. oversight would enable Chinese AI superiority.120 Critics characterize this as "weaponizing" national security concerns to prevent democratic governance of the technology, noting that other advanced democracies including the European Union have implemented AI regulations without ceding technological leadership to China.25
Relationship to AI Safety Community
Leading the Future positions itself in direct opposition to much of the AI safety community, particularly researchers and organizations focused on existential risks from advanced AI systems. The organization has publicly characterized prominent AI safety researchers like Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio as "doomers" whose concerns would unjustifiably slow AI development.1819
The super PAC's backers, particularly Andreessen Horowitz, have articulated a philosophical stance that views AI acceleration as a moral imperative and frames caution as potentially causing harm through forgone benefits.9 This aligns with effective accelerationism (e/acc) perspectives that emphasize rapid technological advancement, contrasting sharply with AI safety perspectives emphasizing careful development and robust safety measures.
No evidence suggests Leading the Future has engaged with or funded technical AI safety research, alignment work, or organizations focused on ensuring AI systems remain beneficial and controllable. The organization's activities are entirely focused on political advocacy to minimize regulatory constraints on AI development and deployment.
Key Uncertainties
Several important questions remain about Leading the Future's impact and strategy:
- Electoral effectiveness: Will the organization's spending successfully reshape congressional composition on AI issues, or will public concern about AI risks prove more influential than industry funding?
- Internal AI industry alignment: To what extent do companies whose leaders fund Leading the Future privately support some regulatory frameworks while publicly opposing them through political spending?
- Regulatory outcomes: Will Leading the Future's push for federal preemption succeed in blocking state-level AI regulations, or will states continue advancing their own frameworks?
- International competitiveness: Is the organization's core argument correct that U.S. AI regulation would enable Chinese dominance, or can democratic governance and technological leadership coexist?
- Public trust: Will aggressive political spending by AI companies increase or decrease public trust in the technology and the industry developing it?
- Long-term industry coordination: Will Leading the Future serve as a durable political operation for the AI industry comparable to pharmaceutical or energy sector advocacy organizations, or is it a temporary response to a specific regulatory moment?
Sources
Footnotes
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AI industry launches Leading the Future to drive U.S. AI leadership, economic growth, national security, and innovation — AI industry launches Leading the Future to drive U.S. AI leadership, economic growth, national security, and innovation ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12
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Silicon Valley AI leaders launch $100M Leading the Future super PAC — Silicon Valley AI leaders launch $100M Leading the Future super PAC ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8
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OpenAI, a16z cash flows to AI super PAC — OpenAI, a16z cash flows to AI super PAC ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8
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Leading the Future official website — Leading the Future official website ↩
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OpenAI president, Greg Brockman, Andreessen Horowitz launch super PAC for AI pro-innovation — OpenAI president, Greg Brockman, Andreessen Horowitz launch super PAC for AI pro-innovation ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
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AI super PACs: Leading the Future and Public First face off over Alex Bores — AI super PACs: Leading the Future and Public First face off over Alex Bores ↩ ↩2
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AI Super PAC raises $125M to shape midterm elections — AI Super PAC raises $125M to shape midterm elections ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5
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AI super PAC Leading the Future modeled on crypto tactics — AI super PAC Leading the Future modeled on crypto tactics ↩
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AI super PAC aligned with Techno-Optimist Manifesto — AI super PAC aligned with Techno-Optimist Manifesto ↩ ↩2 ↩3
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OpenAI president Greg Brockman, Andreessen Horowitz super PAC AI pro-innovation — OpenAI president Greg Brockman, Andreessen Horowitz super PAC AI pro-innovation ↩
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AI super PAC fundraising for midterms disclosed to Democrats and Republicans — AI super PAC fundraising for midterms disclosed to Democrats and Republicans ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9
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PR Newswire announcement with leadership details — PR Newswire announcement with leadership details ↩ ↩2 ↩3
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Silicon Valley AI leaders launch $100M Leading the Future super PAC with leadership information — Silicon Valley AI leaders launch $100M Leading the Future super PAC with leadership information ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5
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Leading the Future Wikipedia entry — Leading the Future Wikipedia entry ↩
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AI industry super PAC discloses $125 million haul and $70 million cash reserve — AI industry super PAC discloses $125 million haul and $70 million cash reserve ↩ ↩2
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Business Insider on AI industry super PACs for 2026 — Business Insider on AI industry super PACs for 2026 ↩ ↩2
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Alex Bores vs. AI - New York's 12th congressional district race — Alex Bores vs. AI - New York's 12th congressional district race ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5
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Fortune article on super PAC targeting AI doomers — Fortune article on super PAC targeting AI doomers ↩ ↩2
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SiliconANGLE coverage of opposition to AI safety advocates — SiliconANGLE coverage of opposition to AI safety advocates ↩ ↩2
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Notus coverage of AI super PACs and public sentiment — Notus coverage of AI super PACs and public sentiment ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6
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a16z-backed super PAC targeting Alex Bores over NY AI safety bill — a16z-backed super PAC targeting Alex Bores over NY AI safety bill ↩ ↩2
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AI safety newsletter on Big Tech backing super PAC — AI safety newsletter on Big Tech backing super PAC ↩
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Lawmakers face mounting tech opposition over AI rules — Lawmakers face mounting tech opposition over AI rules ↩ ↩2
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Future Caucus on tech opposition to AI regulation — Future Caucus on tech opposition to AI regulation ↩ ↩2
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Transformer News on AI super PAC crypto-style tactics — Transformer News on AI super PAC crypto-style tactics ↩ ↩2
References
“This strategy mirrors tactics from the crypto industry, which spent over $100 million in 2024 elections through Fairshake and related PACs, successfully electing pro-crypto candidates and defeating skeptics.”
The article states that Leading the Future raised $125 million, not $130 million. The article mentions that Leading the Future was launched in the summer of 2025, not that it explicitly models itself on Fairshake.
“With a $100 million war chest, the group signals a new level of mobilization by the tech industry as it looks to influence the fast-moving debate over AI regulation ahead of next year’s U.S. midterm elections.”
WRONG NUMBERS: The article states $100 million was raised, not $125 million. UNSUPPORTED: The article does not mention $70 million in cash reserves.
“Leading the Future is being led by Zac Moffat, founder and chief executive officer of Targeted Victory LLC, and Josh Vlasto, a partner at Bamberger & Vlasto LLC.”
“Instead, Leading the Future says it supports “sensible guardrails” that maintain innovation and keep the U.S. competitive against rivals such as China.”
““The RAISE Act is a clear example of the patchwork, uninformed, and bureaucratic state laws that would slow American progress and open the door for China to win the global race for AI leadership,” Moffatt and Vlasto said in the emailed statement.”
“Leading The Future is focused on advancing a positive, forward-looking agenda for AI innovation in Washington, D.C. and across the states, proactively engaging in the political process by identifying, maintaining, and growing pro-AI candidates in order to support an AI innovation policy agenda at the state and federal level.”
The source does not mention the organization's structure (federal and state super PACs, 501(c)(4) advocacy organizations), its opposition to stricter AI regulations, its resistance to fragmented state-level regulations, or its key supporters (Greg Brockman, Marc Andreessen, Benjamin Horowitz, Joe Lonsdale, Ron Conway). The source only mentions that the organization is focused on advancing a positive, forward-looking agenda for AI innovation in Washington, D.C. and across the states.
“The philosophical engine behind all this? According to Roetzer, it’s The Techno-Optimist Manifesto released by Andreessen Horowitz in 2023. Penned by Andreessen Horowitz co-founder Marc Andreessen, the manifesto reads like a rallying cry for unfettered innovation. It champions growth, technology, and human ambition. It also makes a stark claim: that slowing AI is not just misguided, but it’s actually morally wrong. “We believe any deceleration of AI will cost lives,” Andreessen writes in the manifesto. “Deaths that were preventable by the AI that was prevented from existing is a form of murder.”
“Pro-AI super PAC Leading the Future has raised more than $125 million to try to shape the 2026 midterms and the future of federal AI regulation. The super PAC has more than $70 million cash-on-hand, according to a news release shared first with Axios.”
“With more than $100 million in initial funding already committed, LTF is the first comprehensive, bipartisan effort by the AI industry to organize political support and elect pro-innovation candidates at scale.”
WRONG NUMBERS: The claim states "over $125 million raised", but the source says "more than $100 million in initial funding already committed". WRONG NUMBERS: The claim states "$70 million in cash reserves as of January 2026", but the source does not mention cash reserves or the date January 2026. MISLEADING PARAPHRASE: The claim states that the effort is "focused specifically on AI regulation", but the source says the organization is committed to "ensuring the United States leads the world in AI innovation, development, and governance."
“LTF is led by two nationally recognized political strategists: Zac Moffatt , founder and CEO of Targeted Victory, has over two decades of experience in digital and political strategy. Josh Vlasto , partner at Bamberger & Vlasto, has advised sector-leading companies, top-tier start-ups, and national political leaders on high-stakes communications and strategy.”
“Leading the Future, an artificial intelligence industry-backed super PAC, along with affiliated super PACs and nonprofit advocacy groups, raised $125 million in the second half of 2025 and entered this year with $70 million in cash on hand, according to the committee.”
Failed to parse LLM response
“The super PAC backs candidates from both parties who support a national AI regulatory framework, opposing state-level laws that create compliance challenges for the industry[1][2][3].”
The source does not mention Leading the Future working to elevate candidates who resist what it characterizes as "fragmented" regulatory approaches in states like California, New York, Massachusetts, and Colorado. It only mentions New York, California, Massachusetts and Colorado in the context of rising state actions. The source does not mention the organization's 501(c)(4) arms conducting policy development, creating legislative scorecards rating lawmakers on AI issues, coordinating grassroots campaigns, and providing rapid response to counter what they term "doomer" narratives about AI risks.
“Leading the Future is co-led by Josh Vlasto , a former adviser to the crypto-affiliated super PAC Fairshake. In 2024, the crypto industry spent over $130 million in the general elections through Super PACs, helping unseat former Sen. Sherrod Brown and replacing him with pro-crypto Sen. Bernie Moreno.”
““We plan to back leaders who will set aside politics to establish a clear, consistent national framework that will help us to remain a leader in AI innovation and win the race against China,” Leading the Future spokesperson Jesse Hunt said in a statement. “Groups who want to open the door for China to dominate artificial intelligence will put our economy, our children, and our communities at risk of exploitation.””
“Think Big has spent over $900,000 against Assemblyman Alex Bores in the Democratic primary for New York's 12th congressional district.”
The source states Think Big spent over $900,000 against Alex Bores, not $118,000. The source does not mention an additional $326,000 spent on television and digital ads.
““Big Tech can buy all the super PACs it wants, but it can’t buy trust,” Michael Kleinman, head of U.S. policy at the Future of Life Institute, said after the first two PACs were announced.”
unsupported unsupported unsupported
“Encode AI, a youth-led organization that’s worked at the state and national level on AI safety and trust issues, launched a California-focused PAC in July.”
Failed to parse LLM response
“On Monday, Andreessen Horowitz, OpenAI’s Greg Brockman, Perplexity, and investors Ron Conway and Joe Lonsdale launched Leading the Future, a new network of super PACs and 501c(4)s to “organize political support and elect pro-innovation candidates at scale.” Leading the Future is launching with more than $100m in funding, enough to make it one of the biggest spenders in congressional elections.”
The article states the announcement was on Monday, August 25, 2025, but August 25, 2025 was a Sunday. The article was published on August 26, 2025, and refers to the announcement as happening on Monday.
“The aim is clear: throw obscene amounts of money at politicians to discourage AI regulation.”
The source does not mention Sunny Gandhi or Encode AI. The source states that Fairshake spent about $135 million last year, while the claim states $125 million.
“Think Big PAC already recorded spending $326,000 on the new TV and digital ad, after previously spending nearly $120,000 airing an initial attack ad against Bores in December.”
“Other LTF supporters are VC and Palantir cofounder Joe Lonsdale, AI software company Perplexity, and angel investor Ron Conway.”
The claim mentions the organization operates through a network of federal and state super PACs plus 501(c)(4) advocacy organizations, but the source only mentions a super PAC network. The claim states the organization's core mission is to advance a "responsible national framework" for AI governance at the federal level while resisting what it characterizes as fragmented state-level regulations. The source does not explicitly state the organization's core mission, but it does mention that Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI were previously supportive of a 10-year moratorium on states passing their own AI regulations. The claim mentions Marc Andreessen as a key supporter, but the source mentions Andreessen Horowitz.
“Leading the Future will start its operations this year in New York, California, Illinois, and Ohio, according to a press release.”
““LTF and its affiliated organizations will oppose policies that stifle innovation, enable China to gain global AI superiority, or make it harder to bring AI’s benefits into the world, and those who support that agenda,” according to a press release .”