Anthropic and OpenAI waged a $27 million proxy war in a Manhattan congressional race. The winner told them both to get lost

**AI Giants' $27 Million Gamble Backfires in Manhattan Congressional Race**

In a stunning turn of events, Micah Lasher, the newly elected representative of Manhattan's congressional seat, has sent a clear message to the two AI companies that spent a staggering $27 million trying to influence the outcome of the election: they're not welcome to shape his agenda.

Background & Context

The 2026 congressional election in Manhattan was an extraordinary affair, marked by a high-stakes battle between rival AI factions. Anthropic, a leading AI research company, and OpenAI, its competitor, engaged in a proxy war, backing opposing candidates in a bid to shape the future of AI regulation in the United States.

The contest was notable for being the only election in the country where both sides of the AI world clashed over the same race. The outcome has significant implications for the national debate on AI regulation, which has been gaining momentum in recent years. The involvement of AI companies in elections is a relatively new phenomenon, with the trend beginning in earnest in 2024.

Key Details

According to reports, Public First Action, a super PAC backed by Anthropic, poured $19 million into supporting Alex Bores, a state assemblyman who was the center of the AI factions' attention. Meanwhile, Leading the Future, a rival super PAC tied to OpenAI president Greg Brockman and Andreessen Horowitz, spent $8 million in an attempt to defeat Bores.

Despite the significant investment, Lasher, the eventual winner, took a clear stance on AI regulation, vowing to pursue the same agenda as his defeated opponent. This move has been seen as a rebuke to the AI companies that spent millions trying to influence the outcome of the election.

Adam Kovacevich, a former Google public policy executive and founder of the Chamber of Progress, a left-of-center technology trade group, has analyzed the election results. He notes that the outcome highlights a national pattern: across 35 elections and millions in spending, AI companies have gotten very little in return.

What Experts Say

Kovacevich's assessment is echoed by many in the tech industry. The trend of AI companies throwing their hats into U.S. elections is still in its early stages, and it remains to be seen whether these strategies will yield long-term results. The involvement of AI companies in elections has sparked a broader debate about the role of technology in shaping public policy.

The election in Manhattan has shed light on the complexities of AI regulation, which is a critical issue for the tech industry. The debate is not just about the risks and benefits of AI but also about the need for guardrails to prevent the technology from being misused.

Key Takeaways

• AI companies spent a record $27 million in the Manhattan congressional election, with little to show for it.
• The election highlights a national pattern: across 35 elections and millions in spending, AI companies have gotten very little in return.
• Anthropic and OpenAI, two leading AI research companies, engaged in a proxy war, backing opposing candidates in a bid to shape the future of AI regulation in the United States.
• The outcome of the election has significant implications for the national debate on AI regulation, which has been gaining momentum in recent years.

What This Means For You

The outcome of the election in Manhattan has significant implications for the tech industry and the broader public. It highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to AI regulation, one that balances the risks and benefits of the technology.

As the debate on AI regulation continues to unfold, it's essential to consider the long-term implications of these decisions. The involvement of AI companies in elections is a relatively new phenomenon, and it's still unclear whether these strategies will yield long-term results.

One thing is certain: the future of AI regulation will be shaped by the decisions made in the coming years. As a nation, we must ensure that we strike the right balance between innovation and responsibility, ensuring that the benefits of AI are available to all while minimizing the risks.