The midterm elections are scheduled for Nov. 3 , with early voting already off the ground in some states. In campaigns across the country, politicians are talking about the biggest controversies in tech, from privacy and cybersecurity to child online safety. These hot-button issues are exposing major gaps in US legislation and foundational vulnerabilities that now fuel intense debate over emerging technologies like AI.

Big Tech executives are also ramping up political contributions ahead of the elections, exerting major financial influence over electoral races. Elon Musk is one of the biggest donors, funneling around $366 million into conservative causes and right-wing candidates, according to The Guardian . The venture capitalist firm Andreessen Horowitz has spent $91.3 million this year on Republican-aligned groups. OpenAI President Greg Brockman and his wife, Anna, made a $25 million personal donation to a pro-AI PAC called Leading the Future.…