The artificial intelligence industry modeled its political strategy after crypto's successful playbook, launching a well-funded super PAC network and targeting specific races. However, the results have fallen short of expectations.
Leading the Future, the AI-focused super PAC network launched in 2025, began with over $100 million in funding, which later climbed to approximately $140 million. This places it roughly level with Fairshake's 2024 cycle total of approximately $131 million. The network counts OpenAI president Greg Brockman and venture capitalists from Andreessen Horowitz among its supporters.
By late September 2026, Leading the Future and its affiliate groups had spent approximately $55.7 million, with most funding directed toward primary elections favoring Democrats in safe seats. The network posted roughly 90% success rates in less competitive districts.
The NY-12 Primary as Test Case
The June 2026 primary in New York's 12th congressional district became the defining race for AI spending. Leading the Future and affiliated groups spent more than $8 million in support of Alex Bores, while counter-spending exceeded $18 million. Bores lost by roughly 4 points to Micah Lasher, failing to establish AI money as a force candidates must fear.
Internal Divisions Undermine Unified Strategy
The AI sector lacks the unified approach that benefited crypto. A pro-innovation faction and a pro-safety faction both possess significant funding but are effectively fighting over the same policy terrain. This internal division has pushed Leading the Future toward more cautious negative campaigning, removing one of the super PAC's sharpest tools.
How Crypto's Strategy Differed
Fairshake has continued spending heavily through the 2026 midterms, reporting over $120 million in cash on hand. Critically, the crypto super PAC tied its spending to specific legislative objectives, making initial commitments of $6 million or more to candidates who support the Clarity Act, market structure legislation the industry prioritized.
By contrast, AI money has been spread across safe seats without comparable legislative anchors or specific policy requirements for support.
Broader Implications
Combined spending from crypto and AI super PACs exceeded $127 million across more than 100 primary contests, with approximately 90% of supported candidates advancing. However, concerns about funding sustainability and strategic effectiveness are rising as the 2026 cycle moves into midterms. As long as the AI industry's pro-innovation and pro-safety factions continue spending against each other, neither side can credibly threaten lawmakers with unified political pressure.
