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Andreessen Horowitz is investing billions into a bleak future
opinion
93 min read
Andreessen Horowitz is expanding its influence over U.S. AI and technology policy while backing companies accused of deceptive marketing, regulatory evasion, consumer harm, or illegal conduct. The Midas Project says a16z helped launch the $100 million Leading The Future super PAC in August 2025, backed the American Innovators Network, and supported efforts to preempt state AI laws. Former a16z general partner Sriram Krishnan became the White House senior policy adviser on AI in December 2024, while former Zenefits executive David Sacks serves as the White House AI and crypto czar. The report surveys 18 a16z investments. It says Speedrun invested $1 million in Doublespeed in October 2025; leaked data reportedly showed the company operated more than 1,100 phones and 400 TikTok accounts used to make AI advertising appear human-generated. A16z led Cluely’s $15 million Series A in June 2025 after the company promoted an AI tool as a way to “cheat” in interviews and other settings. A16z-backed Character AI faces lawsuits over alleged harmful chatbot interactions with minors, and Civitai disclosed 178 reports to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children involving confirmed AI-generated child sexual abuse material. The portfolio also includes fintechs and gambling platforms that have faced regulatory actions, lawsuits, or allegations of circumventing consumer-protection rules. A16z did not respond to the report’s request for comment.