The Rise of AI Lobbying
The artificial intelligence (AI) industry is rapidly growing, and so is its influence in Washington. The number of organizations lobbying on AI issues has skyrocketed, reaching 460 in 2023. This represents a remarkable 190% increase from the previous year, with the number rising slightly to 462 in 2024. This surge highlights the industry’s increasing focus on shaping regulations and legislation surrounding this transformative technology.
Much of the lobbying revolves around educating policymakers. AI lobbyists are focusing on explaining the complexities of AI to members of Congress and their staff. They aim to position themselves as trusted sources of information in this complex field. Major tech companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon are actively involved, along with representatives from industries ranging from electronics manufacturing to pharmaceuticals.
The Slow Pace of Legislation and the Push for Responsible AI
Despite the surge in lobbying, concrete legislative action on AI regulation has been slow. Lawmakers are proceeding cautiously, and no major AI legislation is expected to pass before the November elections. One key objective for many AI lobbyists is to prevent the US from adopting regulations similar to the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act.
Although over 90 AI-related bills have been introduced in the 118th Congress, none have been voted on. Bills like the CREATE AI Act and the AI Foundation Model Transparency Act are currently being debated. Financial investment in lobbying is significant. OpenAI, for example, spent $340,000 on lobbying fees in the first quarter of 2024 alone. Other tech giants like Microsoft and Google are also pouring resources into lobbying efforts.
While industry lobbyists are the dominant force, academic institutions and nonprofits are also getting involved, though their efforts are often limited by resources. Some, like Stanford and Harvard, are actively lobbying for bills like the CREATE AI Act. The recent explosion of generative AI platforms has further fueled legislative efforts and public concern. Issues like intellectual property, election law, algorithmic bias, privacy, and misinformation are all under scrutiny.
Bills such as the ASSESS AI Act propose the creation of task forces to examine the potential impact of AI on privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties. This reflects a broader movement towards responsible AI governance. The interplay between the AI industry’s lobbying efforts and the government’s cautious approach to regulation will continue to shape the development and deployment of AI technologies for the foreseeable future.
