WASHINGTON -- The artificial intelligence industry has gone on a lobbying binge in the past few years, deploying scores of hired influencers to help shape potential government action.

The surge in lobbying is not surprising. Tech giants across healthcare, defense, and finance are actively pushing for a voice in potential regulations, hoping to shape the landscape of AI development.

As AI technology advances at an unprecedented pace, legislators are turning to lobbyists for guidance because research institutions, non-profit organizations, and academic circles are struggling to keep up with the rapid changes in the field.

Armed with PowerPoint presentations and detailed reports, AI industry lobbyists are engaging in extensive discussions with lawmakers and their staff, providing insights into the nuances of this groundbreaking technology.

This advocacy has yielded tangible results, as evidenced by the lack of progress on any legislation aimed at regulating AI, one of the most intricate and challenging policy matters confronting the federal government.

Lobbyists in Washington D.C. have been actively seeking clients with interests in AI, a testament to the growing prominence of this technology and Congress's efforts to determine the most effective regulatory approach for the industry.

According to a study by Open Secrets , a nonpartisan watchdog that tracks political spending, the number of organizations lobbying on AI surged to 460 in 2023, representing a staggering 190% increase from 2022. This number rose slightly to 462 in 2024. These lobbying groups represent a diverse set of key players in the AI boom , ranging from business networks like the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable to tech giants such as Microsoft, Intuit, and Amazon.

The widespread interest in AI lobbying is driven by its impact on various aspects of life, from healthcare and education to national security and the dangers of misinformation.

The primary objective of these lobbyists is to convince Washington that concerns surrounding AI are overstated and that the U.S. should not follow the European Union's lead. The EU, which introduced groundbreaking regulations earlier this year with the Artificial Intelligence Act, has become a cautionary tale for many in the U.S. tech sector.

“The recurring message is to avoid replicating the EU's approach. The common refrain is, ‘The EU is a regulatory superpower,’” said Rep. Don Beyer, a Virginia Democrat focusing on AI . “I haven’t encountered anyone championing the EU's model yet.”

While Congress has adopted a hands-off approach to AI regulation so far, it's unlikely any major legislation will be passed before the November elections. This inaction, however, raises concerns for some lawmakers, as AI's ability to generate convincingly fake images, audio, and video could undermine voter trust and impact election integrity.

A significant portion of AI lobbyists' time is dedicated to simply explaining the fundamental workings of the technology.

While these lobbyists are still actively organizing events in the capital and contributing to campaign funds, their primary focus is on educating members of Congress, positioning themselves as reliable sources of information about the evolving AI industry.

“With AI, we are encountering an open reception" in Congress, Craig Albright, the top lobbyist and senior vice president at The Software Alliance , a trade group representing companies like Microsoft, OpenAI, and IBM, stated. “They are eager to learn more about the technology.”

Albright called this work “the primary thing that we do."

Varun Krovi, a technology lobbyist, explained that these educational campaigns are successful because they foster a sense of understanding and trust between lobbyists and lawmakers.

“It’s a highly effective strategy for building and strengthening relationships with these lawmakers and their staff because you're not explicitly asking for their support on a specific bill or opposition to another,” said Krovi, the head of government relations and public policy at the Center for AI Safety Action Fund.

“Essentially, we're taking a step back and saying we are here to address any technical inquiries you may have, and here's why you should consider our perspective. It's a powerful approach,” Krovi remarked.

Some argue that the influence of industry on AI regulation stems from the inability of external entities like academia and nonprofits to match the efforts of AI companies and trade associations in shaping Congressional opinion. According to academics, members of Congress are more inclined to listen to representatives from well-known tech companies than impartial experts.

At this point, Congress primarily receives input from lobbyists representing the industry, according to both lobbyists and academics. Academia and nonprofits, which offer nonpartisan research and analysis on topics like AI deployment and its potential societal risks, struggle to keep pace with the rapid advancements in the technology. The most cutting-edge research is being generated by for-profit companies, who have the resources to invest in the best equipment and researchers.

“It's incredibly difficult for academia to effectively counterbalance the immense level of lobbying efforts,” stated Max Tegmark, a professor conducting AI research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “It feels like trying to explain something to someone in a very noisy environment.”

MIT and other organizations have engaged in discussions with members of Congress regarding AI. MIT has hosted lawmakers in Boston and provided similar briefings in Washington over the past two years. Non-profit organizations have sought to do the same.

“We are striving to keep pace, but … academia faces a major obstacle, which is access to computing resources. This is an advantage that industry currently holds,” remarked Asu Ozdaglar, head of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT. “We are keeping up, we are conducting research … but to maintain our position in this field, we need access to those resources.”

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