OpenAI AI Lobbying: How Much They Spend and What They Want
Quarterly Federal Lobbying Breakdown
| Year | Quarter | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Q1 | $180K |
| 2024 | Q2 | $220K |
| 2024 | Q3 | $260K |
| 2024 | Q4 | $310K |
| 2025 | Q1 | $210K |
| 2025 | Q2 | $380K |
| 2025 | Q3 | $580K |
| 2025 | Q4 | $850K |
| 2026 | Q1 | $1.5M |
Key Bills Lobbied On
- 1S. 2714 (SAFE Innovation Framework Act)
- 2H.R. 3369 (National AI Commission Act)
- 3S. 3312 (Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act)
- 4H.R. 4425 (Data Center Energy Efficiency Act)
- 5S. 896 (COPIED Act - copyright and AI training data)
Public Position on AI Regulation
Supports AI regulation but favors a risk-based, iterative approach. Has called for an international regulatory body for frontier AI. Increasingly focused on energy and infrastructure policy as scaling demands grow. Advocates for AI safety standards while cautioning against regulation that could advantage closed-source competitors.
Key Lobbyists
Campaign Contributions
Total: $25K across 4 recipients
Focus Areas
Notable Actions
- →Achieved 7x year-over-year increase in federal lobbying spend from Q1 2025 to Q1 2026
- →Announced Stargate joint venture for AI data center infrastructure with SoftBank and Oracle
- →Signed White House voluntary AI safety commitments in 2023
- →Actively lobbying for favorable energy permitting to power large-scale AI training runs
Frequently Asked Questions
How much has OpenAI spent on AI lobbying?
OpenAI has spent a total of $3.5M on federal AI lobbying. The most recent quarterly filing was for $1.5M in Q1 2026.
What AI bills has OpenAI lobbied on?
OpenAI has lobbied on 5 AI-related bills, including S. 2714 (SAFE Innovation Framework Act), H.R. 3369 (National AI Commission Act), S. 3312 (Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act), and more.
What is OpenAI's position on AI regulation?
Supports AI regulation but favors a risk-based, iterative approach. Has called for an international regulatory body for frontier AI. Increasingly focused on energy and infrastructure policy as scaling demands grow. Advocates for AI safety standards while cautioning against regulation that could advantage closed-source competitors.
Who are OpenAI's key AI lobbyists?
OpenAI employs 4 known lobbying firms and individuals for AI policy, including Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Steptoe LLP, Cornerstone Government Affairs, among others.
How does OpenAI's lobbying compare to other AI companies?
OpenAI has an influence score of 6/100, with a total political footprint of $3.5M across lobbying, PAC spending, and campaign contributions.