Amazon, Google Among Firms Focusing on AI Lobbying in States

Fear that artificial intelligence could draw unfriendly regulation has led Big Tech to ramp up its lobbying to promote the technology in statehouses nationwide.

Companies such as Amazon.com Inc., Google, and Microsoft Corp. are first focusing on explaining AI technology to legislators from Albany to Austin as lawmakers begin considering additional safeguards and restrictions. The tech giants hope a soft touch now will win goodwill from elected officials before companies begin pushing their policy priorities for less regulation, according to interviews with more than a dozen state lawmakers and industry insiders.

“The first thing is education,” Matt Wing, ...