Leading the Future, the pro-AI super PAC backed by Greg Brockman, appears to be linked to multiple sockpuppet accounts, including a purported anti-AI activist
@themidasproj
Context & Ripple Effects
Leading the Future was launched as a well-funded pro-AI super-PAC network, with Greg Brockman and a16z among the backers and an explicit ambition to replicate crypto political-action infrastructure. Later coverage described the group raising more money to influence the midterms and federal AI policy.
The reported account links follow earlier allegations that an AI-generated outlet attacking AI-industry critics was funded by the same network. They arrive as a separate PAC network is being assembled to support candidates favoring stronger AI regulation.
First-order effects
The allegations could damage Leading the Future's credibility by making ostensibly independent or anti-AI voices associated with its messaging less persuasive.
Brockman and other identified backers become more directly exposed to reputational fallout from the PAC's political communications practices.
Second-order effects
Groups seeking tighter AI rules gain material for arguing that pro-AI political advocacy is not transparent, potentially strengthening their candidate and fundraising pitch.
Competing AI-policy organizations may face pressure to more clearly document funding, sponsorship, and the provenance of online advocacy campaigns.
Third-order effects
If similar allegations recur, AI-policy campaigning could move toward a more adversarial contest over the authenticity of public opinion rather than only over substantive regulation.
The episode points to rising demand for disclosure and accountability around digitally distributed political messaging, particularly when industry-funded PACs seek to shape AI rules.
The trend: AI companies and their backers are building durable political influence operations, while the legitimacy and transparency of those operations are becoming a central battleground in AI regulation.
Circumstantial evidence suggests that the company Memelord is running two anonymous accounts that are closely aligned with Leading the Future. One account attacks the PAC's critics, while the other impersonates them to make their opposition look deranged. [image]
LTF declined to comment when asked about this new round of astroturfing allegations. But a reminder that when Taylor Lorenz asked them about a prior round of astroturfing, they said “we'll continue... using every tool at our disposal.” [image]
As OAI tries to distance itself from LTF, another notable fact from the @TaylorLorenz and @TheMidasProj investigation: Of the sock puppet accounts, which don't have tons of followers, who else but OAI's Chief Strategy Officer! You don't just stumble on these accounts! [image]
.@tyler_johnston and I uncovered two Leading the Future/BAAI linked meme accounts that have been attempting to shape the conversation around AI. Read our full story!
On Monday, OpenAI put out a statement disavowing any connection to the PAC. I find this argument uncompelling, in part because I don't think DC will care whether it's OpenAI or its President threatening to end political careers over AI regulation. https://x.com/...
My hope is that, moving forward, Leading The Future will do their part to combat this and help foster a genuinely productive conversation on AI. The stakes are too high for anything else!
A few months ago, I found an anonymous sockpuppet account linked to the OpenAI/a16z super PAC. Now, @TaylorLorenz and I have uncovered two more — and they're even more brazen than the first. https://x.com/...
It appears the OpenAI-a16z super PAC has now stooped so low as to create a sockpuppet account claiming to be an anti-AI doomer saying various violent/unhinged/discrediting things. This false flag behavior is not normal politics