Breaking from years of political caution, Meta Platforms Inc. is bankrolling $65 million to influence state-level elections, the latest tech player attempting to install pro-artificial intelligence (AI) lawmakers nationwide.
Facebook and Instagram’s parent company is jumping from modest corporate donations to a super PAC infrastructure, according to federal filings and company representatives as outlined in a New York Times report. The goal is to dismantle a growing patchwork of state regulations that the tech giant fears will stifle AI development and its global competitive edge.
Central to the political agenda are two newly formed groups, the Republican-focused Forge the Future Project and the Democrat-focused Making Our Tomorrow. The entities allow Meta to play on both sides of the aisle simultaneously, targeting incumbents and open seats in key battlegrounds.
The funds are routed through an umbrella organization, the American Technology Excellence Project, which received an initial $45 million infusion from Meta in September. That organization then distributes capital to the partisan branches to fund digital advertising, direct mail, and get-out-the-vote efforts.
The campaign begins this week in Texas and Illinois, two states where Meta’s physical infrastructure and regulatory interests intersect.
In Texas, Meta is currently developing three AI data centers in the state. The Forge the Future Project, led by GOP strategist Brian Baker, is backing Republican candidates who support tech expansion. The move follows recent friction where local officials attempted to pass moratoriums on data center construction.
In Illinois, following a deal to purchase nuclear power for its operations, Meta is deploying Making Our Tomorrow to influence at least four state House races. The group aims to counter a flurry of AI-related regulations recently proposed by the state’s Democratic-led legislature.
Historically, Meta was conservative with its political treasury, preferring small-scale donations or allowing executives like former Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg to contribute personally. The $65 million commitment represents the company’s largest-ever election investment.
“Meta is betting big on politics because they see a regulatory threat to the AI industry,” a company spokesperson told the Times. By focusing on state capitols, Meta is targeting races where $65 million can exert significant leverage compared to the multibillion-dollar scale of federal presidential contests.
In states with strict transparency laws, like California and Texas, the company has been forced to list Meta as its controlling entity in filings. Despite this, the company has remained quiet about these PACs publicly, preferring to let the digital ads and mailers do the talking as primary season begins.
Earlier this month, Anthropic announced a $20 million donation to Public First Action, a political advocacy group pushing for stricter AI safeguards.
The contribution underscores a bold entry into the 2026 election cycle for the San Francisco-based startup, which has consistently positioned itself as a champion of responsible AI and a safety-focused approach.
