Meta, the tech giant behind Facebook and Instagram, is making waves in California’s political scene with its latest announcement: the creation of a super PAC aimed at supporting candidates who advocate for less restrictive regulation of artificial intelligence (AI). The move, revealed on August 26, 2025, signals a dramatic intensification of Silicon Valley’s efforts to shape the state’s legislative landscape as AI technologies become ever more central to daily life and business.
The new political action committee, called Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across California, is set to receive a major financial boost, with Meta planning to invest tens of millions of dollars, according to Politico and StartupNews.fyi. This isn’t just a token gesture—Meta’s commitment puts it alongside other Silicon Valley heavyweights like venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI’s Greg Brockman, who together have pledged $100 million to a separate pro-AI super PAC. The stakes? The future of how AI is governed in the world’s fifth-largest economy.
Brian Rice, Meta’s Vice President of Public Policy and the designated head of the new PAC, didn’t mince words about the company’s motivations. He expressed serious concerns that California’s current regulatory trajectory could stifle innovation and slow the development of AI technologies. "Strict regulations could hinder innovation, AI development, and California's leadership in technology," Rice stated, emphasizing the delicate balance between oversight and fostering a thriving tech ecosystem.
Meta’s move comes on the heels of a series of high-profile policy battles in Sacramento. Earlier in 2025, the company lobbied vigorously against SB-53, a bill introduced by state senator Scott Wiener. The proposed legislation would have required AI companies to publicly disclose their safety and security protocols and to report any incidents related to AI safety. Meta argued that such mandates could create excessive burdens and potentially expose proprietary information, while supporters of the bill insisted that transparency was vital for public trust in AI systems.
This wasn’t the first time Meta flexed its political muscle in California. In 2024, the company played a key role in defeating the Kids Online Safety Act, a bill designed to tighten protections for minors on social media platforms and digital services. The act was widely expected to gain traction, but Meta’s lobbying efforts, along with those of other tech companies, helped ensure its demise. Critics accused the company of putting profits ahead of children’s well-being, while Meta countered that the proposed regulations were overly broad and could hamper the user experience for all Californians.
With the launch of Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across California, Meta appears to be taking a more proactive—and expensive—approach to shaping the state’s political future. The PAC’s stated mission is to back candidates across the political spectrum who support what it calls “light-touch” regulation of AI. This strategy marks a shift from simply reacting to proposed legislation to actively cultivating a political environment more favorable to the tech industry’s interests.
Observers say the timing is no coincidence. California’s 2026 gubernatorial race is already attracting attention, with technology policy expected to be a central campaign issue. By investing heavily in this new PAC, Meta is signaling its intent to play a major role in the outcome—not just for its own benefit, but for the broader tech sector that calls California home.
This new wave of political engagement isn’t limited to Meta. Andreessen Horowitz, one of Silicon Valley’s most influential venture capital firms, and OpenAI’s Greg Brockman have recently committed $100 million to a separate super PAC with similar aims. The convergence of these efforts suggests a coordinated push by the tech industry to ensure that California remains a hospitable place for AI startups and established companies alike.
But not everyone is cheering. Critics, including some lawmakers and advocacy groups, warn that Silicon Valley’s growing political clout could undermine efforts to hold tech companies accountable for the societal impacts of their products. They point to recent controversies over algorithmic bias, privacy breaches, and the spread of misinformation as evidence that stronger oversight is needed, not less.
Supporters of stricter regulation, like Senator Scott Wiener, argue that transparency and accountability are essential if AI is to be integrated safely into society. "We need to ensure that AI companies are acting responsibly and that the public is protected from potential harms," Wiener has said in public statements. For these advocates, Meta’s new PAC is less about fostering innovation and more about protecting corporate interests at the expense of public safety.
Meta, for its part, insists that its approach is balanced. The company points to its recent philanthropic activities, which have included contributions to various down-ballot candidates from both major parties. By supporting a diverse slate of politicians, Meta says it is committed to promoting policies that drive economic growth and technological progress while still respecting the need for some regulation.
It’s a tricky tightrope to walk. On one side are those who fear that unchecked innovation could lead to serious social and ethical problems. On the other are those who worry that heavy-handed rules will drive investment and talent out of California, threatening its long-standing status as the global epicenter of technology.
Meta’s critics remain skeptical. They argue that the company’s track record—especially its successful efforts to block the Kids Online Safety Act and its opposition to SB-53—suggests a pattern of resisting meaningful oversight. Some advocacy groups have called for greater transparency around the sources of funding for political action committees and for stricter limits on corporate influence in state elections.
Meanwhile, supporters of the tech industry’s approach contend that California’s prosperity depends on its ability to attract and retain innovative companies. They point to the jobs created by the tech sector, the tax revenue it generates, and the global prestige it brings to the state. For these voices, the risk of overregulation is clear: it could drive entrepreneurs and investors to more business-friendly states or even overseas.
As the 2026 gubernatorial race approaches, voters will be watching closely to see how these competing visions play out. Will California double down on its role as a tech innovator, or will it impose new guardrails to address the risks of rapid technological change? The answer may well depend on the outcome of the very elections Meta’s new super PAC is designed to influence.
With tens of millions of dollars on the line and some of the world’s most powerful companies engaged, the battle over AI regulation in California is shaping up to be one of the defining political contests of the coming years.
