Big tech mobilizes massive lobbying resources to block AI regulations

The direct involvement of Big Tech in the political arena merits greater scrutiny. Although the traditional “technolibertarian” position of many actors in Big Tech, such as Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, was to shy away from politics and lobbying, over the years, the threat of regulation and the possibility of incentives have motivated Big Tech towards influencing policy and politics (Chandrasekaran & Mintz, 1999; Zachary, 2010). Big Tech are involved in the political sphere through a variety of mechanisms: (a) direct consultations with the government; (b) lobbying; (c) hiring experts closely working with the governments (revolving door); (d) and funding influential think tanks, universities, and experts (Lindman et al., 2023). Due to their size and technological expertise, tech companies are important political actors. Governments frequently need to work with Big Tech as economic, social, or, as the case of GenAI illustrates, knowledge agents (Sharon, 2021). The lobbying activities of Big Tech further strengthen their position in the political sphere. Big Tech have been salient political financiers in the EU and the US in recent years, donating across parties, individuals, and political levels (Table 2) (Bank et al., 2021; OpenSecrets, 2023). Table 2. [Image Omitted] Furthermore, the role of the revolving door also requires attention. A recent study found that 18% of total appointees in the Department of Commerce were registered lobbyists, including key staff from various Big Tech firms (Warren & Jayapal, 2022). A parallel trend can be noticed in the UK and Europe, where Big Tech have hired ex-politicians, civil servants, and political advisors as their political strategists (Bristow & Clarke, 2023; LobbyControl, 2022). Finally, Big Tech also directly fund or employ experts and expert groups that form part of consultative interest groups around policymaking. This includes funding academic research for “ethics washing” and generating support, supporting influential think tanks, or even working together with industry associations that support their interest (Goldenfein & Mann, 2023; Schyns, 2023). The recent AI Bill introduced in Europe illustrated the effect of this political capital. After the launch of ChatGPT, lawmakers in Europe debated the extent of risk and nature of governance to be imposed on GenAI. However, Big Tech mobilized their lobbying, discursive and consultative power, and their wide-reaching relationship with other influential interest groups to tone down the requirements prescribed in the proposed act (Schyns, 2023).