2026-05-13 / Signal #4
AI companies' lobbying blitz reaches fever pitch in DC (OpenAI "Workshop" office opening, Anthropic spending surge)
“OpenAI just opened a DC lobbying office called 'The Workshop' while spending explodes—AI isn't just in your computer anymore.”
Why It Matters
AI firms evolving from tech builders into full political institutions influencing law, money, identity, and governance. Concrete artifacts: new offices, lobbying disclosures, conferences.
Evidence
NYT report (May 13, 2026); ~25% of federal lobbyists now AI-focused (up sharply); companies opening offices, hosting events, spending tens of millions to shape policy.
Sources
Daily scan: 2026-05-13