The AI giants are going all-in on Washington. OpenAI and Anthropic are both opening offices in DC, hiring lobbyists, and pouring more money than ever into winning over lawmakers.
This isn't subtle. We're watching the AI industry build its political infrastructure in real time, the same way Big Tech did a decade ago. The difference is the timeline is compressed and the stakes feel higher.
For anyone building with AI tools, this matters because these lobbying efforts will shape what you can and can't do with the technology. The regulations being debated right now will determine everything from liability frameworks to data usage rules to export controls.
The timing makes sense. Federal AI legislation is actually moving forward, and companies want to make sure their interests are represented before rules get locked in. It's the classic playbook: get in early, build relationships, and try to influence the conversation before it happens without you.
This is also a sign of how seriously these companies are taking the regulatory threat. You don't open a DC office and staff up on lobbyists unless you think there's real risk to your business model. The era of AI companies operating in a regulatory gray zone is ending fast.
