The number of lobbyists working on issues related to artificial intelligence surged in 2023 compared to the previous four years as the federal government considered AI regulation, according to a report released by the 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 significantly increased in 2023 compared to relatively stagnant amounts between 2019 and 2022, the report found, based on analysis of all lobbying disclosures from 2019 to 2023.
The number of clients lobbying on AI-related issues increased by 120 percent from 2022 to 2023, up 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 from 2020 to 2023, up to 3,140 from 1,552 in 2022.
The number of lobbyists engaging with the White House rose dramatically even within the course of 2023, based on the report.
The number ticked up each quarter, jumping 188 percent from 322 reported in the first quarter to 931 by the fourth quarter of the year.
The sharp rise in 2023 coincided with the release of the Biden administration's executive order on AI and led to an increase in lobbying of 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 across industries - beyond the tech sector alone.
The tech industry was the most active in AI lobbying but still only accounted for 20 percent of lobbyists.
Other industries with lobbyists for AI-related issues included financial services, education, transportation, defense, media and health care.
This Cyber News was published on thehill.com. Publication date: Sun, 02 Jun 2024 23:29:04 +0000