Meta Platforms Inc. has announced the establishment of a new Political Action Committee (PAC) aimed at promoting artificial intelligence initiatives. The news, which surfaced at 9:59 AM PDT on August 26, 2025, aligns with the company’s ongoing efforts to shape public policy in favor of AI technologies. The PAC has emerged shortly after Meta’s unprecedented engagement in state legislative issues. Just last year, Meta led a coalition of tech firms to defeat the Kids Online Safety Act, which was thought to be on a fast track to passage.
Brian Rice, Meta’s Vice President of Public Policy, will serve as the interim executive director of the new PAC. Under his direction, the new organization plans to push for policies that promote AI innovation and applications. In his press releases, Rice has pointed to California’s regulatory climate as a big concern. He cautioned that current regulations “could stifle innovation, block AI progress, and put California’s technology leadership at risk.”
The creation of this PAC comes at a time when other notable tech figures are investing in similar initiatives. Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI’s co-founder Greg Brockman have each pledged $100 million to support pro-AI political efforts. Their financial commitments indicate a growing consensus among tech leaders regarding the need to influence policy favorable to AI advancements.
After many missteps this legislative term, Meta’s decision to create a PAC is indicative of a shift in strategic priorities within the company. The Kids Online Safety Act, a bipartisan effort to provide more protections against harms online for minors, encountered overwhelming lobbying opposition. Meta’s involvement in its defeat highlighted the company’s proactive stance on regulatory matters affecting digital technology.
