AI Lobbying Explodes: 1 in 4 Federal Lobbyists Now Work AI Issues
A quarter of all US federal lobbyists now touch AI policy, more than doubling from 11% in 2023.
The AI lobby in Washington is growing at a staggering pace. Roughly 25% of the 13,000 registered US federal lobbyists are now working on AI-related issues — up from just 11% in 2023. That's more than 3,000 people paid to shape how the government handles artificial intelligence.
The big players are planting flags in DC. OpenAI is set to host the grand opening of its Washington office on Wednesday. Anthropic is also establishing a presence in the capital.
Both companies are hiring lobbyists and spending more than ever to influence federal lawmakers. The rapid expansion signals that AI companies view regulatory engagement not as optional but as existential. Washington is now a core battleground for the industry's future — and the lobbying dollars reflect it.