The Alliance for a Better Future (ABF), a conservative organization, is investing seven figures in advertising to promote Republican lawmakers' stances on artificial intelligence, a rapidly growing technological field. The group aims to highlight the need for American innovation while balancing it with safeguards, particularly in the context of U.S. competition with China.
The advertising push is backing Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), and Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), all of whom face midterm elections. The ABF stated that these lawmakers align with a balanced approach to AI development, similar to that advocated by former President Donald Trump. Trump has previously expressed that AI can be used for both good and bad, emphasizing the need to stop the negative applications.
Meanwhile, the ABF's advertisements also criticize progressive lawmakers, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), on their approaches to AI policy. The ads suggest that these Democrats could hinder American technological advancement.
Concerns about artificial intelligence, including national and cybersecurity threats, have become a significant issue as the U.S. seeks to maintain a technological lead over China. The ABF's CEO, Janet Kelly, stated that winning the AI race requires technology trusted by the American people and that conservative lawmakers understand the urgency of developing AI with American values. Kelly also specifically warned against what she described as China's potential to exploit any perceived U.S. weakness in AI development.
Collins, Marshall, and Hinson have each supported policies that align with the ABF's goal of fostering AI development with necessary protections. Hinson has stressed the importance of the U.S. maintaining its technological edge over Beijing while carefully assessing AI's risks. Marshall has viewed AI as a tool to assist, rather than replace, American workers and has supported measures addressing its workforce and energy implications. Collins has backed federal investment in advanced computing and championed safeguards in Maine against deceptive AI-generated election content.
In addition to the new ad campaigns, the ABF reportedly made a $1 million donation to MAGA Inc. last week to support candidates who champion innovation and security in emerging technologies like AI. The organization's focus on AI policy emphasizes prioritizing American values such as protecting children, the economy, and national security as the technology continues its rapid development.