OpenAI Drops $2.22M in AI Lobbying Efforts Amid Regulatory Battles

OpenAI's lobbying efforts have escalated significantly in the first half of 2026, with the company spending more than $2.22 million to influence AI legislation across multiple jurisdictions. This figure represents a sharp increase from previous periods and underscores OpenAI's commitment to shaping the regulatory landscape.

The company's top lobbyist met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill as part of its lobbying offensive, which aims to create de facto national standards through coordinated state policies. This strategy, known as 'reverse federalism,' involves backing state-level regulations that align with OpenAI's preferred framework.

California and New York have been primary targets for OpenAI's efforts, with the company throwing its weight behind four AI bills in California. The legislation covers independent assessments of frontier models, standards for AI auditors, child safety protections, and screening protocols for biological threats.