AI Safety Group Public First Action Raises $80M in Funding
The bipartisan advocacy organization reports $20 million came in the past 10 days as political spending on AI regulation intensifies.
Public First Action, a bipartisan organization advocating for AI safety measures, announced Tuesday it has secured more than $80 million in total funding, with $20 million raised in just the last 10 days.
The organization operates as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit focused on AI safety, transparency, and regulatory oversight. It coordinates with three affiliated political action committees: Defending Our Values PAC for Republican candidates, Jobs and Democracy PAC for Democrats, and the bipartisan Public First PAC.
Why it matters
The substantial fundraising haul demonstrates that political spending around AI regulation is becoming increasingly competitive. The influx of capital could help counterbalance pro-AI industry super PACs that have opposed stricter oversight, potentially shifting the political calculus for lawmakers considering AI safety legislation.
Responding to industry spending
Organizers attribute the recent surge in donations to growing pushback against pro-AI super PAC spending that has targeted candidates supporting AI regulation. The timing suggests donors are mobilizing in response to perceived industry efforts to shape the regulatory landscape through political contributions.
Notably, Anthropic—which provided an initial $20 million donation to Public First—has not contributed additional funds beyond that original commitment, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Framing the debate
Brad Carson, co-founder of Public First Action, characterized the fundraising success as evidence that pro-regulation voices are gaining ground. "No elected official will stand alone when they back AI safeguards, not this year, not next year, not ever," Carson stated in a release.
Co-founder Chris Stewart emphasized bipartisan themes in the group's messaging, highlighting child protection, American worker interests, and preventing advanced technology from reaching adversaries like China as unifying concerns that transcend party lines.
The organization's positioning suggests it aims to reframe AI regulation not as anti-innovation but as addressing broadly popular concerns about safety and national security.
The broader landscape
Public First Action has emerged as one of the principal players in AI-related political spending. The group's multi-PAC structure allows it to support candidates across the political spectrum who back stronger AI oversight, creating a counterweight to technology industry groups that have historically dominated policy discussions around emerging technologies.
The details were first reported by Axios.
This is an original analysis by the Omega editorial team. Source reporting: AI Watch.
Want systems like this working for your business?
Book a Call