15:33Machine-translated from Azerbaijani by AIRead in Azerbaijani
Payments by Pro-AI Network Spark Controversy
Ahead of the midterm elections to be held in November, the US-based pro-AI political network “Leading the Future” has attracted attention. The network has raised more than $140 million (approximately 238 million manats) to support candidates aligned with the interests of the artificial intelligence sector. According to official documents, millions of dollars from this money were paid to 4 mysterious companies registered in Nevada.
“Lantern Production Consultants” has received approximately $20 million (34 million manats) since last year from a super PAC called “Think Big.” The organization, which makes political expenditures independently of candidates, listed the payments as being for polling, digital advertising, research, and strategy services. However, the company does not appear to have a real office. Its official address is a mailbox at a shopping center in Sparks. The addresses of the other 3 companies also lead to ordinary business centers and mail service providers. “Summit Ridge Media Group” received approximately $13 million (approximately 22.1 million manats) from “American Mission” between December 2025 and September 2026. The company’s address is a postal outlet at a shopping center in Reno. The address of a “Staples” store is listed for “Blue Horizon Compliance Consultants.” “Prusik Partners,” meanwhile, is registered at the same address as a building housing a salon and a manual therapist. Campaign finance watchdog organizations claim that these companies are shell entities created to conceal the identities of the individuals and businesses receiving the money. The “Campaign Legal Center” filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission in May. According to the organization, “Think Big” and “American Mission” violated federal law. The complaint states that the actual recipients of the money were not disclosed and that the companies operated as part of the super PACs. “Leading the Future” spokesperson Jesse Hunt said the network complies with all applicable laws. He called the complaint an attempt by “Public First,” “Anthropic,” and groups affiliated with them to attract attention. “Public First” stated categorically that it had no connection to the complaint. “Anthropic” did not respond to the allegation. The complaint is not expected to be investigated soon because the Federal Election Commission does not have enough members to make decisions. The commission has 6 seats, and at least 4 commissioners are required for a decision. However, it has not had that many members since May 2025. During that time, payments to the Nevada companies have continued. In the network funded by Marc Andreessen, Ben Horowitz, and “OpenAI” President Greg Brockman, “Think Big” primarily supports Democrats, while “American Mission” supports Republicans.
“Lantern Production Consultants” has received approximately $20 million (34 million manats) since last year from a super PAC called “Think Big.” The organization, which makes political expenditures independently of candidates, listed the payments as being for polling, digital advertising, research, and strategy services. However, the company does not appear to have a real office. Its official address is a mailbox at a shopping center in Sparks. The addresses of the other 3 companies also lead to ordinary business centers and mail service providers. “Summit Ridge Media Group” received approximately $13 million (approximately 22.1 million manats) from “American Mission” between December 2025 and September 2026. The company’s address is a postal outlet at a shopping center in Reno. The address of a “Staples” store is listed for “Blue Horizon Compliance Consultants.” “Prusik Partners,” meanwhile, is registered at the same address as a building housing a salon and a manual therapist. Campaign finance watchdog organizations claim that these companies are shell entities created to conceal the identities of the individuals and businesses receiving the money. The “Campaign Legal Center” filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission in May. According to the organization, “Think Big” and “American Mission” violated federal law. The complaint states that the actual recipients of the money were not disclosed and that the companies operated as part of the super PACs. “Leading the Future” spokesperson Jesse Hunt said the network complies with all applicable laws. He called the complaint an attempt by “Public First,” “Anthropic,” and groups affiliated with them to attract attention. “Public First” stated categorically that it had no connection to the complaint. “Anthropic” did not respond to the allegation. The complaint is not expected to be investigated soon because the Federal Election Commission does not have enough members to make decisions. The commission has 6 seats, and at least 4 commissioners are required for a decision. However, it has not had that many members since May 2025. During that time, payments to the Nevada companies have continued. In the network funded by Marc Andreessen, Ben Horowitz, and “OpenAI” President Greg Brockman, “Think Big” primarily supports Democrats, while “American Mission” supports Republicans.