OpenSecrets, a non-profit group that tracks campaign financing and lobbying, reports a significant rise in lobbying efforts related to AI. In 2023, 459 groups lobbied the federal government on AI issues; by mid-2024, this number had surged to 556.
OpenAI has notably increased its lobbying expenditures. It spent $260,000 in 2023 and $800,000 in the first half of 2024. OpenSecrets also reveals that several leading law firms have registered lobbyists for OpenAI. The company currently employs 35 global affairs staff in eight countries and plans to expand this number to 50 by the year's end.
Anthropic is ramping up its lobbying efforts as well. It invested $250,000 in a team of five lobbyists and spent approximately $280,000 on three lobbyists in 2023. Additionally, Anthropic has engaged two more lobbying firms, Jed Bhuta of Tower 19 and AWS lobbyist Stoney Burkey.
AI startups are also increasing their lobbying expenditures. Cohere invested $70,000 in lobbying this year, raising its spending to $120,000. With the election season underway, AI firms are preemptively securing lobbying support as presidential candidates clarify their positions on AI regulation.
Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden have both called for federal oversight of AI. Conversely, former President Donald Trump opposes AI regulations and advocates for deregulation. The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration has endorsed new generative AI models but advises developing new policies to monitor them.
As elections approach, many AI firms face antitrust scrutiny from U.S. regulators. OpenAI has outlined its preferred AI rules and policies, while the FTC investigates Amazon's recent partnership with Adept. Microsoft has relinquished its observer seat on the OpenAI board to address U.S. antitrust concerns.
Image: DIWAigen
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OpenAI has notably increased its lobbying expenditures. It spent $260,000 in 2023 and $800,000 in the first half of 2024. OpenSecrets also reveals that several leading law firms have registered lobbyists for OpenAI. The company currently employs 35 global affairs staff in eight countries and plans to expand this number to 50 by the year's end.
Anthropic is ramping up its lobbying efforts as well. It invested $250,000 in a team of five lobbyists and spent approximately $280,000 on three lobbyists in 2023. Additionally, Anthropic has engaged two more lobbying firms, Jed Bhuta of Tower 19 and AWS lobbyist Stoney Burkey.
AI startups are also increasing their lobbying expenditures. Cohere invested $70,000 in lobbying this year, raising its spending to $120,000. With the election season underway, AI firms are preemptively securing lobbying support as presidential candidates clarify their positions on AI regulation.
Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden have both called for federal oversight of AI. Conversely, former President Donald Trump opposes AI regulations and advocates for deregulation. The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration has endorsed new generative AI models but advises developing new policies to monitor them.
As elections approach, many AI firms face antitrust scrutiny from U.S. regulators. OpenAI has outlined its preferred AI rules and policies, while the FTC investigates Amazon's recent partnership with Adept. Microsoft has relinquished its observer seat on the OpenAI board to address U.S. antitrust concerns.
Read next: Google Enhances Chrome: Desktop Lens, AI-Driven Tab Comparison, and Natural Language Search Introduced
