Exclusive: AI safeguards group spends millions on Republican candidates

Driving the news: The group launched more than $7 million in advertising to support conservative candidates who back AI regulation, including Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), as well as Byron Donalds (R-Fla.).

• "The people running these AI companies have spent millions telling Washington that any guardrail is an attack on innovation," Public First Action co-founder and former Republican lawmaker Chris Stewart said.
• "Republicans know better," he added.
• Funding will also go to polling of conservative attitudes around AI alongside the ads.

Context: Public First Action is a bipartisan 501(c)(4) nonprofit that advocates for AI safety, transparency and stronger oversight.

• The group is tied to three PACs: Defending Our Values PAC supporting Republicans, Jobs and Democracy PAC supporting Democrats, and the bipartisan Public First PAC.

What's next: The group is going to roll out ads over the next month supporting a dozen Republicans who have backed bills that would tighten U.S. control over semiconductors and sensitive tech.

• The ads will also support members who have worked to keep preemption of state AI laws out of the annual defense policy bill, according to the announcement.