An AI proxy war could reshape Congress — before Congress reshapes AI

Scott Kwiatkowski from takes part in a demonstration at the Utah State Capitol to oppose the construction of a data center in the state on May 23, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Support and opposition to artificial intelligence is drawing tens of millions of dollars of spending during the midterm election cycle.

The massive spending and heated rhetoric in midterm races reflect the AI industry's political fault lines and competing visions of what the future should look like.

(Image credit: Natalie Behring)