Artificial intelligence giants Anthropic and OpenAI are making significant investments in US congressional races, with two super PACs linked to these companies spending over $37 million to influence the 2026 midterm elections. This move highlights the industry's divided stance on regulation, with Anthropic pushing for stricter rules and OpenAI supporting federal-level regulation.
Upscale AI, a startup utilizing AI for better decision-making, has secured $190 million in Series A-1 funding at a $2 billion valuation. The round was led by Premji Invest, with participation from new investors including NVIDIA, Salesforce Ventures, and Temasek. This funding will help Upscale AI expand its operations and talent pool.
The AI industry's impact on the stock market is evident, with US chip stocks experiencing a significant sell-off due to AI-related concerns. This trend has led to volatility in semiconductor companies and raised doubts about the profitability of AI ventures. Despite this, investors are eyeing potential AI stocks that could become the next S&P 500 tech giants, such as NVIDIA, Alphabet, and Microsoft.
Other notable developments include Autodesk's commitment of $350 million to workforce training, aiming to address the growing demand for AI-related talent. Additionally, the US administration is pressing Meta to agree to voluntary AI reviews amid rising security concerns. Chinese AI model GLM 5.2 has outperformed OpenAI and Google models on a benchmark for real-world tasks, showcasing advancements in AI capabilities.
Digital health company Cadence has raised $100 million to automate chronic disease care with regulated AI, while AI's increasing power demands are turning electric utilities into growth stocks, potentially impacting customer costs. These developments underscore the multifaceted nature of the AI industry's growth and its far-reaching implications.
Key Takeaways
['Anthropic and OpenAI-linked super PACs have spent over $37 million on US congressional races.', 'Upscale AI raised $190 million at a $2 billion valuation, with NVIDIA, Salesforce Ventures, and Temasek as investors.', 'US chip stocks have plummeted due to AI-related sell-off, raising concerns about AI profitability.', 'Autodesk committed $350 million to workforce training to address AI talent demand.', 'Meta is under pressure to agree to voluntary AI reviews amid US security concerns.', 'Chinese AI model GLM 5.2 outperformed OpenAI and Google models on a benchmark.', 'Cadence raised $100 million for chronic disease care automation with regulated AI.', "AI's power demands are driving growth in electric utilities, potentially impacting customer costs.", 'Investors eye NVIDIA, Alphabet, and Microsoft as potential S&P 500 tech giants.']AI giants fund ad wars in US congressional races
Artificial intelligence (AI) giants are spending millions of dollars on advertisements to influence US congressional races. Two super PACs linked to Anthropic and OpenAI are among the most prolific political spenders so far in the 2026 midterm elections. They have spent over $37 million to date, making them among the biggest outside spenders in congressional races. The AI industry is divided on regulation, with Anthropic calling for more stringent regulation and OpenAI supporting federal-level regulation.
AI industry flexes political power in New York primary
The AI industry is clashing in a Democratic primary for a US House seat in New York. Two factions, one linked to OpenAI and the other to Anthropic, are spending millions of dollars on ads to influence the race. The election will offer a measure of the political might of the two AI industry factions. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is backing fellow democratic socialists in the primary.
AI groups spend $20 million in New York congressional race
Two major AI PACs are spending $20 million in a New York congressional race, pitting Assemblyman Alex Bores against fellow Assemblyman Micah Lasher and Kennedy descendant Jack Schlossberg. The race is a proxy battle for the future of AI regulation in the US. Bores is a leading contender who has pushed for stricter AI regulation.
Upscale AI raises $190 million at $2 billion valuation
Upscale AI, a startup that uses AI to help companies make better decisions, has raised $190 million in a Series A-1 funding round, valuing the company at $2 billion. The round was led by Premji Invest, the investment arm of the Wipro conglomerate. Upscale AI plans to use the funding to expand its operations and hire more talent.
Upscale AI adds $190 million to Series A funding
Upscale AI has added $190 million to its Series A funding, bringing its total funding to $500 million. The round was led by Premji Invest and included funding from new investors, including NVIDIA, Salesforce Ventures, and Temasek. Upscale AI is building a high-performance AI fabric for large-scale AI workloads.
US chip stocks plunge amid AI selloff
US chip stocks are plummeting due to a significant AI selloff that originated in Asia. The trend highlights the market's reaction to the AI boom and its implications for semiconductor companies. The selloff has created significant volatility for companies involved in semiconductor manufacturing and supply chains.
AI doubts spark tech stock selloff
Doubts about the profitability of artificial intelligence are driving a sell-off in tech stocks, leading to volatility in the semiconductor market. Concerns over the profitability of AI ventures are casting a shadow over the sector, causing investors to re-evaluate their positions.
Can AI stocks become S&P 500 tech giants?
Investors are hunting for the next trillion-dollar S&P 500 tech stock behemoth like Amazon, Apple, or Nvidia. Three AI stocks, including Marvell Technology, Ciena, and Soundhound AI, are considered thrilling and potentially set for a massive rebound.
Autodesk commits $350 million to workforce training
Autodesk has committed $350 million over the next three years to expand access to technology, training, and professional certifications for students, educators, and workers preparing for careers in the design and manufacturing economy. The investment aims to address the growing demand for AI-related talent.
3 AI stocks set for a massive summer rebound
The market is undervaluing these three AI stocks, which are set for a massive summer rebound. NVIDIA, Alphabet, and Microsoft are identified as leaders in the AI space, with significant potential for growth.
US presses Meta to agree to AI reviews
The US administration is pressing Meta to agree to voluntary AI reviews as security concerns rise. Meta has told Reuters that it hopes to sign the agreement soon.
China's GLM 5.2 beats OpenAI, Google models on benchmark
Chinese AI model GLM 5.2 has beaten OpenAI and Google models on a benchmark for real-world tasks. GLM 5.2 outperformed OpenAI's GPT-5.5 and Google's Gemini 3.5 Flash on the GDPval-AA benchmark.
Cadence raises $100 million for chronic disease care
Cadence, a digital health company, has raised $100 million to automate chronic disease care with regulated AI. The investment aims to expand Cadence's footprint and automate the work of its clinicians.
AI's power hunger turns utilities into growth stocks
AI's power hunger is turning electric utilities into Wall Street growth stocks, but customers may pay the price. The rising demand for power to data centers for AI systems is driving mergers and acquisitions in the utility sector.
Sources
- ‘I got crushed’: AI giants are funding ad wars in congressional races across the country
- Mamdani and AI industry flex political power in New York, plus more to watch in Tuesday's primaries
- AI groups spend $20 million going head-to-head in New York race pitting Bores, Lasher, Schlossberg
- Upscale AI raises $190 million Series A-1 at $2 billion valuation
- Upscale AI Adds $190 Million in Extension to Series A, Reaching Half-Billion Dollars in Total Funding
- US Chip Stocks Plunge Amid AI Selloff
- AI Doubts Spark Tech Stock Selloff
- Can these 3 thrilling AI stocks become S&P 500 tech giants like Amazon, Apple and Nvidia?
- Autodesk Commits $350 Million to Workforce Training for AI-Powered Design and Manufacturing Careers
- 3 Screaming Buy Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks Set for a Massive Summer Rebound
- US presses Meta to agree to AI reviews as security concerns rise, NYT reports
- China’s GLM 5.2 Beats All OpenAI, Google Models On GDPval-AA Benchmark For Real-World Tasks
- Cadence raises $100 million to automate chronic disease care with regulated AI
- AI’s power hunger is turning electric utilities into Wall Street growth stocks — and customers may pay the price
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