Lobbying

Bottom Line: OpenAI adds former senator to lobbying roster

by Taylor Giorno - 03/12/24 6:00 AM ET

Greg Nash
A K St. banner is seen in downtown Washington, D.C., on Monday, January 30, 2023.

Artificial intelligence

OpenAI hired Hogan Lovells US LLP back in January to lobby on issues related to the research and development of artificial intelligence (AI), according to a new lobbying disclosure filed last week. The artificial intelligence juggernaut behind ChatGPT ramped up its lobbying operation in October, registering to lobby itself and quickly hiring legal and lobbying giants DLA Piper and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. Former Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) will work on the new account.

The Center for AI Safety Action Fund also recently hired Akin to provide “strategic and policy advice” related to artificial intelligence. The fund is the advocacy arm of the Center for AI Safety, which organized a letter last May warning of the “risk of extinction from AI.” Several OpenAI employees and board members, including CEO Sam Altman, signed onto the letter. Reginald Babin, former chief counsel to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), will work on the account.

Babin and three other Akin lobbyists who registered to work on the Center for AI Security Action Fund account are also among the lobbyists registered to work for OpenAI.

Insurance

The insurance company Aflac hired Horizons Global Solutions to lobby on the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2025. Stephen Boyd, former assistant attorney general at the Department of Justice and a former congressional aide in the House and Senate, will work on the account.

Health

Advocate Health Advisors hired Greenberg Traurig to lobby on policies affecting the Medicare Advantage program, an alternative to traditional Medicare offered through private companies that are approved by Medicare. Former Rep. Charles “Charlie” Bass (R-N.H.) will work on the account.

Amgen hired Washington Advocacy Group to educate members of Congress on “issues impacting Amgen and patients.” The lobbyist on the account is Michael Lamoureux, former Republican president of the Arkansas State Senate who went on to serve as chief of staff to Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R).

Technology

Comcast hired Smart Policy Group to lobby on issues related to internet regulation and spectrum. The lobbyist on the account is Pete Leon, former legislative director for former Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.).