AI and Crypto Companies are Investing in State Elections; What Does This Mean for NYS and AI Use?

Chat GPT, owned by Open AI, a main investor in Leading the Future. Photo by Jacquelyn Drain '27

In 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency companies invested $39 million in state elections. New York has been a key battleground state in this issue, specifically regarding AI regulations. These disputes over regulations heavily impact students amidst adapting to changing technology.

This investing was done through contributing to political campaigns, hiring lobbyists and donating to non-profit organizations. Companies defended these actions, claiming they are supporting those whose interests align with theirs. At the federal level, the major companies fund money into super PACs, which then fund two affiliate groups, one from each party. 

For AI, two main super PACs have risen to power: Leading the Future and Public First. 

Leading the Future argues for state-by-state AI regulation. It is primarily funded by OpenAI, the owner of ChatGPT, the venture capitalist firm A16z and Perplexity AI. This super PAC funds two interest groups: Democratic-backed “Think Big” and Republican-backed “American Mission.” 

Anthropic is the main investor in Public First, which is pro-AI regulation. This PAC then donates to Democratic-focused Jobs and Democracy and Republican-focused Defending Our Values. 

In state elections, these super PACs have spent more than $12 million so far this year, with one of them being in New York.

Think Big has spent $2 million so far in the New York Democratic primaries, specifically in Manhattan. Their main target is Alex Bores, a NYS assemblyman who is an advocate for regulated AI and published a plan detailing these regulations earlier this year. However, Bores has also received $500,000 in funding from the Public First PAC. 

In December, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the RAISE Act into law. This legislation creates a committee within the Department of Financial Services to monitor these companies and their spending. 

“By enacting the RAISE Act, New York is once again leading the nation in setting a strong and sensible standard for frontier AI safety, holding the biggest developers accountable for their safety and transparency protocols,” said Hochul. “This law builds on California’s recently adopted framework, creating a unified benchmark among the country’s leading tech states as the federal government lags behind, failing to implement common-sense regulations that protect the public.”

Last week, Marist University was ranked seventh in a list published by Town & Country magazine highlighting the top 15 schools in preparing students for the AI economy. In its ranking, the magazine said, “From dedicated degree programs to interdisciplinary research initiatives to career guidance, these schools are actively equipping students for our inevitable future.”  

“Marist approaches artificial intelligence with what it calls an ‘and, not or’ philosophy that blends intellectual curiosity, ethical reflection and character development with technical training and applied learning to develop thoughtful leaders,” said the article.

This controversy in federal and state politics over AI regulation affects colleges and their approach to the changing landscape, specifically in NY. A study conducted by the Brookings Institution in January found that AI has the potential to both harm and help students. 

In highlighting the benefits, the study said: “Well-designed AI tools and platforms can offer students a number of learning benefits if deployed as a part of an overall, pedagogically sound approach.” However, the results also found that overreliance can damage fundamental learning capacity. “These risks can impact students’ capacity to learn, their social and emotional well-being, their trusting relationships with teachers and peers and their safety and privacy,” said the study.

In an Instagram post, President Kevin Weinman reflected on the university’s ranking amidst the controversy surrounding regulation. He said, “Marist’s AI strategy is grounded in a defining philosophy: technology should enhance – not replace – human potential.”