Artificial Intelligence Lobbyists Descend on Washington DC
Public Citizen
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Contributed by: Drex DeFord
Summary
Technological advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have significantly increased lobbying activity in recent years, affecting a broad range of industries beyond just technology. Public Citizen's analysis of five years of House lobbying disclosure data (2019-2023) shows a sharp rise in AI-related lobbying, with more than 3,400 lobbyists engaging in AI issues in 2023 alone—an increase of 120% from the previous year. Lobbying efforts have not been limited to technology firms but have also involved industries such as financial services, healthcare, and defense. The White House was the most targeted entity, attracting more than 1,100 lobbyists in 2023, reflecting heightened interest following the Biden administration's executive order on AI. Although 85% of the lobbyists represented corporate interests, discussions also included various non-corporate stakeholders, illustrating extensive efforts to shape AI regulations across federal agencies.
