AI tried to bury this politician — now people have actually heard of him

OpenAI and Anthropic are engaged in a costly political battle over AI regulation through competing super PACs, with their massive spending against New York congressional candidate Alex Bores—who authored AI safety legislation—ironically elevating his profile and making him a prominent voice for regulatory oversight.

The clash between OpenAI and Anthropic reveals deepening fractures within the AI industry over regulatory philosophy. OpenAI's super PAC, backed by prominent venture capital figures, is spending millions to oppose Bores, who championed AI safety regulations. This aggressive opposition backfired through the classic Streisand Effect: attempting to suppress or undermine Bores amplified his message and credibility rather than diminishing it. The dynamic illustrates how the AI industry's most influential companies now openly contest political outcomes, transforming what would have been a local congressional race into a proxy war over the future governance of artificial intelligence. Anthropic's apparent alignment with Bores's regulatory stance contrasts sharply with OpenAI's approach, signaling genuine philosophical differences about how AI development should be constrained or permitted. The spending levels involved—millions by late 2025—demonstrate that major AI companies view political influence as critical to their business models and long-term viability. This marks a significant shift from the industry's earlier posture of staying above political fray. For investors and developers, the outcome suggests that regulatory risk around AI will remain volatile and contested at the highest levels. The candidate elevated by industry opposition may ultimately carry more influence than originally expected, potentially accelerating AI regulation despite corporate resistance.

• →OpenAI and Anthropic are engaged in opposing multimillion-dollar super PAC campaigns over AI regulation policy
• →Political opposition to Alex Bores paradoxically increased his visibility and credibility on AI safety issues
• →The battle reveals deep ideological splits within the AI industry about regulatory approaches
• →Major AI companies now view political spending and lobbying as essential to protecting their interests
• →Candidates supporting AI regulation may gain unexpected electoral advantages through industry opposition