AI companies intensify lobbying efforts amid regulatory debates and public backlash

Artificial intelligence firms in the United States and Europe are ramping up lobbying efforts to influence government policy on upcoming regulatory frameworks. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, recently published a 13-page policy paper titled 'Industrial Policy for the Age of Intelligence,' which proposes new tax measures and social safety nets for an AI-integrated society. The company has also acquired the tech media platform TBPN to shape public perception. These developments occur alongside significant public controversy, including the suspension of plans for a sexualized chatbot following backlash. OpenAI is currently facing legal challenges from families of teenagers who allege the platform caused harm, including instances of suicide, leading the company to implement mandatory age verification systems. The broader AI industry has seen a massive increase in lobbying activity, with reports indicating that over 3,500 federal lobbyists are now involved in Washington.