As artificial intelligence reshapes the global economy, more than 500 companies and business groups are aggressively lobbying U.S. policymakers to shape the future of the technology in their favor, according to a Financial Times analysis of federal filings released this week.
The lobbying wave, covering activity between January and June, reflects a continued surge in corporate interest in AI policy. While the number of organizations lobbying in the first half of 2025 is roughly in line with the same period last year, it has nearly doubled since 2023—a clear sign of the growing urgency among stakeholders to influence legislation and regulation as AI development accelerates.
This lobbying boom comes as Donald Trump’s administration doubles down on its pro-technology stance. The former president is expected to unveil a new White House AI framework during an upcoming summit this week, signaling the administration’s intent to support domestic AI growth amid rising global competition.
“The U.S. government is not only a gigantic potential customer but also a public validator of new technology approaches,” said Tony Samp, head of AI policy at law firm DLA Piper, which represents AI firms including OpenAI and Boston Dynamics. “Unlike in years past when the government was often viewed as a hindrance, the business community increasingly views the U.S. government as a key partner.”
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, speaking at a Federal Reserve event on Tuesday, echoed those sentiments. “Government has got to embrace this technology,” he told regulators and officials. “It will be able to do everything better.”
OpenAI, which began lobbying in 2023, has dramatically ramped up its spending—investing $1.8 million in the first half of 2025, more than quadrupling its previous lobbying budget. The company is among many in the AI space seeking to steer federal policy in a way that supports innovation while avoiding heavy-handed regulation.
Tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta are also pouring resources into AI lobbying efforts, which include everything from pushing for federal support to build massive data centers, to advocating for lighter-touch regulations that would allow the U.S. to remain ahead of China in the AI race. One failed initiative even sought to bar U.S. states from independently regulating AI for a full decade.
Executives argue that artificial intelligence could add trillions to U.S. GDP in the next ten years, warning that overly burdensome rules—like those emerging in Europe—could undermine America’s competitive advantage.
At the same time, these same tech companies are entangled in federal antitrust lawsuits that could force them to break up, while AI start-ups like OpenAI and Anthropic face legal battles over the alleged unauthorized use of copyrighted materials to train their models. The companies defend their actions under the “fair use” doctrine of U.S. copyright law.
The lobbying efforts span far beyond Silicon Valley. A wide range of industries—including automakers, health insurers, private equity firms, civil rights organizations, and entertainment professionals—are hiring lobbyists to weigh in on AI rules that could impact their sectors.
With Washington becoming a key battleground for AI’s future, industry groups are moving swiftly to ensure policies reflect their interests in what could become the most transformative technological race of the century.
