Aug 26 (Reuters) - Meta said on Tuesday it will

launch a California-focused political action committee to back

state-level candidates favoring lighter regulation of

technology, particularly artificial intelligence.

The group, named Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across

California - a super-PAC, will support candidates for state

offices from either party who advocate AI innovation over

stringent rules.

The Facebook and Instagram parent plans to spend tens of

millions of dollars through the PAC, potentially positioning the

company among the state's top political spenders ahead of the

2026 governor race.

California will elect its next governor in November 2026.

Governor Gavin Newsom's national profile has surged amid a

series of confrontations with President Donald Trump,

positioning him as a high-visibility Democratic figure.

The office of the California governor did not immediately

respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Meta's move to back candidates who favor AI-friendly

policies aligns with its business interests, as the social media

company is pouring billions to better compete in Silicon

Valley's intensifying AI race and develop new cash flows.

"Sacramento's regulatory environment could stifle

innovation, block AI progress, and put California's technology

leadership at risk," said Brian Rice, Meta vice president of

public policy.

California has been among the most aggressive states in

pursuing AI and social media regulation and state officials will

shape rules on safety, transparency and consumer protection that

could impact tech companies' products.

Rice will head the PAC alongside fellow public policy VP

Greg Maurer as principal officers, according to a company

spokesperson.

Companies such as Uber ( UBER ) and Airbnb ( ABNB ) have

used such campaign-focused, multi-million dollar strategies to

build clout in Sacramento, according to Politico, which first

reported the development.

Venture-capital firm Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI

President Greg Brockman are among those helping launch and fund

Leading the Future, a new super-PAC network focused on AI, the

Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.