$150 Million AI Lobbying War: The Fight Over Preemption

Intermediate | December 10, 2025

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AI Lobbying War: Who Wants One National Rule?

In late November 2025, a Forbes analysis reported that more than $150 million is being spent in the United States on a political battle over how to regulate artificial intelligence. This AI lobbying war has quickly become one of the most expensive technology policy fights in U.S. history., a Forbes analysis reported that more than $150 million is being spent in the United States on a political battle over how to regulate artificial intelligence.

Why Preemption Matters

At the center of the fight is a legal idea called preemption—and it plays a major role in the AI lobbying war. is a legal idea called preemption—whether a single federal law should override different state‑level AI rules. Some of the money comes from tech investors and companies that want one national standard. They argue that a patchwork of 50 different state laws would slow down innovation, raise costs, and make it harder for the U.S. to compete with countries like China. (Forbes)

Who Supports Preemption?

Supporters of preemption have organized around a network called Leading the Future (LTF). According to the Forbes report, LTF launched in 2025 with around $100 million from Silicon Valley investors and AI leaders. Its political action committees (Super PACs) and advocacy groups work to elect candidates who favour rapid AI deployment and a light regulatory touch. They also warn that strong state rules could push AI investment and jobs to other countries.

Who Is Fighting Against Preemption?

A Growing Opposition

On the other side of the AI lobbying war**, a different coalition argues that states should keep the power to act, especially while Congress is still debating what to do. A bipartisan group called *Public First*, led by former members of Congress, has launched its own Super PACs and nonprofit projects to support candidates who favour stricter AI oversight. Their message is that AI is “the most powerful technology ever created” and needs meaningful safety rules, not just promises from industry.

The Safety Coalition’s Strategy

Public First works closely with Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI), a research and advocacy group focused on AI safety. ARI and its allies support policies like stronger export controls on advanced chips, more funding for NIST (the National Institute of Standards and Technology) and state laws that require AI companies to assess and disclose risks. The Forbes article notes that new state rules in New York and California—aimed at frontier AI models and high‑risk uses—are early examples of this state‑driven approach.

The Preemption Showdown in Washington

The Battle Moves to Washington

Both sides see 2025 and 2026 as crucial years. In Washington, D.C., lawmakers are considering whether to include preemption language in the National Defense Authorization Act, a must‑pass bill. At the same time, the White House is reportedly studying an executive order that could also affect the balance between federal and state power. If preemption language is strong, it could block many state laws and replace them with a single national framework. If it is weak or delayed, states will likely continue to act as “laboratories” for AI regulation.

For ordinary people, the details of lobbying and preemption might sound distant. But the outcome will shape how AI affects daily life—from online privacy and deepfake scams to workplace monitoring and children’s safety. The AI lobbying war is really a struggle over who writes the rules: Congress, state governments or, indirectly, the companies and donors who fund these political campaigns.

Vocabulary

Preemption (noun) – a legal principle where a higher level of government blocks or replaces lower‑level laws.
Example: Federal preemption could stop states from enforcing their own AI safety rules.
Lobbying (noun) – the act of trying to influence government decisions, usually by companies or interest groups.
Example: Tech firms are spending millions on lobbying to shape AI regulations.
Coalition (noun) – a group of people or organizations that join together for a common goal.
Example: A coalition of safety groups is pushing for stronger AI oversight.
Oversight (noun) – official monitoring to make sure rules are followed.
Example: Lawmakers are debating what kind of oversight AI companies should face.
Framework (noun) – a basic structure of rules or ideas used to guide decisions.
Example: Some investors want a single federal framework for AI instead of many state laws.
Patchwork (noun) – a mix of many different parts that may not fit well together.
Example: Businesses say a patchwork of state AI laws would make compliance more difficult.
Deployment (noun) – the process of putting technology or systems into real‑world use.
Example: Companies worry that strict rules could slow the deployment of new AI tools.
Advocacy group (noun) – an organization that works to influence public policy on a specific issue.
Example: Advocacy groups on both sides of the AI debate are funding election ads.
Regulation (noun) – an official rule made by a government authority.
Example: The future of AI regulation in the U.S. may depend on this preemption fight.
Donor (noun) – a person or organization that gives money to support a cause or campaign.
Example: Major donors are backing both sides of the AI lobbying war.

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

Why are some investors and tech companies pushing for a single federal AI framework instead of state‑level rules?
What arguments do Public First and Americans for Responsible Innovation make against strong preemption?
How could the National Defense Authorization Act influence the balance between federal and state AI laws?
In what ways might the AI lobbying war affect ordinary people’s daily lives, even if they never work in tech?
Do you think spending $150 million on lobbying is an appropriate way to shape AI policy? Why or why not?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Should AI rules be mainly written at the federal level, the state level or both? Explain your view.
How can governments balance the need for innovation with the need for safety and consumer protection in AI?
What risks worry you most about AI—privacy, jobs, deepfakes, national security or something else?
Do you trust tech companies to self‑regulate, or do you prefer clear laws and penalties? Why?
How could citizens, not just big donors, have more influence in major technology policy debates?

Related Idiom

“Follow the money.”

This idiom means that if you want to understand what is really happening, you should look at who is paying and where the money goes. In the AI lobbying war, following the money helps explain why some groups support strong preemption while others fight to keep state‑level power.

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This article was inspired by: Forbes – “$150 Million AI Lobbying War Fuels The Fight Over Preemption”.