The number of lobbyists working on issues related to artificial intelligence (AI) increased in 2023 compared to the previous four years as the federal government considered regulating AI, according to a report released by advocacy group Public Citizen on Wednesday.
Both the number of clients lobbying on AI-related issues and the number of lobbyists hired by clients to lobby on AI-related issues increased significantly in 2023, compared to relatively stagnant amounts between 2019 and 2022, the report concluded based on in reviewing all lobbying disclosures. from 2019 to 2023.
The number of clients lobbying on AI-related issues increased by 120% between 2022 and 2023, to 566 clients in 2023, compared to 272 in 2022.
The number of lobbyists hired by clients to lobby on AI-related issues also increased by 120 percent between 2020 and 2023, up to 3,140, compared to 1,552 in 2022.
Public Citizen expects lobbyist involvement to continue to increase in 2024 as federal agencies work to enact actions directed by the Biden administration under the executive order released in October and Congress considers AI-related proposals.
“We’re getting to a point where the policies that will shape AI policy over the next 10 years are really being decided now,” said Mike Tanglis, research director at Public Citizen’s Congress Watch division.
“From our perspective, having the leading voices on an issue be those who stand to make billions of dollars is generally not a good idea for the public,” Tanglis added.
The number of lobbyists involved with the White House has increased dramatically even during 2023, according to the report. The number increased each quarter, jumping 188%, from 322 reported in the first quarter to 931 in the fourth quarter of the year.
The sharp increase in 2023 coincided with the release of the Biden administration’s executive order on AI and led to increased lobbying from both the White House and other agencies that were directed to take action under the executive order, the report found.
Based on the report, lobbying on AI-related issues spanned all sectors – beyond just the technology sector.
The tech industry was the most active in lobbying for AI, but still represented only 20% of lobbyists. Other industries with lobbyists for AI-related issues include financial services, education, transportation, defense, media and healthcare.
Tangled said, “We shouldn’t just go back to something we’ve done too many times in the past,” which is letting the industry regulate itself.
“This has worked terribly for us in the past. And I think we shouldn’t make the same mistake when it comes to AI,” Tanglis said.
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