The rapid development of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, such as the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT, has led to an increase in lobbying efforts by tech giants to influence potential regulation on this emerging technology. OpenSecrets’ analysis of federal lobbying disclosures reveals that 123 companies, universities, and trade associations spent roughly $94 million lobbying on AI-related issues in the first quarter of 2023.
The number of entities lobbying on AI-related issues has skyrocketed in recent years, with a growth from single digits a decade ago to 158 in 2022. Among the companies lobbying on AI issues are Big Tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, Oracle, Alphabet Inc., IBM, and Meta.
As competition heats up among tech giants to develop AI-powered tools, companies like Alphabet, Meta, and Microsoft are reallocating resources to focus on in-house AI projects. Meanwhile, Microsoft plans to invest $10 billion in ChatGPT’s creator, OpenAI, to integrate its technology into their existing platforms like Bing, Azure, and GitHub.
Google has also recently introduced its AI chatbot, Bard, as an early experiment to compete with Microsoft and OpenAI. Alphabet Inc. spent $3.4 million lobbying on AI-related issues, including generative AI, machine learning, and quantum information science, in the first quarter of 2023.
The exponential growth of ChatGPT has captured the attention of U.S. legislators, leading to a meeting between top executives from Alphabet Inc., Microsoft, OpenAI, and AI startup Anthropic with Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss AI-related concerns, such as misinformation, bias, and privacy.
The Internet Patrol is completely free, and reader-supported. Your tips via CashApp, Venmo, or Paypal are appreciated! Receipts will come from ISIPP.
CashApp us
Venmo us
Paypal us
Meta, after an underwhelming metaverse initiative, is also shifting its focus toward generative AI and integrating AI-powered tools like image generation and AI chat across its platforms. The company spent $4.6 million on lobbying efforts, including AI-related issues in the first quarter of 2023.
Oracle and Amazon are also investing in AI and machine learning, with both companies spending millions on lobbying efforts in the first quarter of 2023. Meanwhile, General Motors plans to integrate ChatGPT into its vehicles as driver assistants and has spent $5.5 million on AI lobbying efforts in the same period.
However, some industry insiders worry that AI technology is scaling up too fast, potentially leading to uncontrollable risks. Over a thousand tech leaders, professors, and researchers in AI have signed an open letter urging AI labs to pause the development of their most advanced technologies until they can be better understood and controlled.
The Future of Life Institute, a nonprofit organization backed by Elon Musk, spent $50,000 in the first quarter of 2023 lobbying for provisions and funding to ensure “trustworthy artificial intelligence” development. The Center for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Policy has also called for AI regulations, such as algorithmic transparency, and urged the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to investigate OpenAI.
As tech companies continue to compete in the AI race, Geoffrey Hinton, a pioneer in AI neural technology, warns of the need for regulation to prevent AI from becoming uncontrollable and threatening humanity. With lobbying efforts increasing and the AI landscape rapidly evolving, the debate on regulation and ethical AI development remains a critical focus for industry leaders and policymakers.
The Internet Patrol is completely free, and reader-supported. Your tips via CashApp, Venmo, or Paypal are appreciated! Receipts will come from ISIPP.
CashApp us
Venmo us
Paypal us
