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AI companies are lobbying harder than ever—but will the US catch up?

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Hello and welcome to the Automated, your AI tour guide.

Today, we’re diving into the 'other' key areas where AI-focused companies are pouring massive amounts of cash.

Plus, we’ll give you an inside look at the latest and possibly craziest move from Sam Altman.

Here’s what we have for you today:

  • 💸 AI Lobbying Hits New Heights as Companies Push for Influence.

  • 👨Sam Altman’s World Wants to Link AI Agents to Your Digital Identity.

  • 📱 5 ways to use NotebookLM Plus for your business.

  • 🏫 11 ways Google AI can help educators and students in 2025.

  • 🤖 ChatGPT Prompt Of The Day: Act as a Senior Frontend Developer.

💸 AI Lobbying Hits New Heights as Companies Push for Influence. 

If you thought AI companies were only splurging on GPUs and data centers, think again.

Turns out, they’re also showering lawmakers with cash like it’s a Black Friday blowout—all in the name of navigating the murky waters of AI regulation.

According to reports, last year saw an eye-popping 648 companies lobbying on AI issues, and guess what? That number increased from 458 in 2023, because when the rulebook isn’t written yet, everyone wants to grab the pen and have a say.

Take Microsoft, for example; they championed the CREATE AI Act to ‘help’ benchmark AI systems. Meanwhile, OpenAI threw its weight behind the Advancement and Reliability Act, aimed at setting up a dedicated AI research center. 

And it’s not just talk; these companies are putting their money where their algorithms are.

OpenAI upped its lobbying budget from a modest $260K in 2023 to a whopping $1.76 million in 2024.

Not to be outdone, Anthropic more than doubled its spending to $720K, while Cohere boosted its lobbying budget from $70K to $230K.

In total, these three labs shelled out $2.71 million!

Sure, it’s still pocket change compared to the tech industry’s overall $61.5 million lobbying spree, but it’s a huge leap from their $610K total in 2023. So it’s clear these AI players mean business.

Interestingly, they’re not just writing checks—they’re hiring too.

OpenAI hired political heavyweight Chris Lehane as VP of policy, while Anthropic brought on DOJ alum Rachel Appleton as its first in-house lobbyist.

But here’s the thing: despite all this lobbying action, AI regulation in the U.S. is still in limbo.

Congress debated over 90 AI-related bills in the first half of last year alone, yet progress has been slow.

States like Tennessee, Colorado, and California have stepped up with their own AI laws, with Tennessee leading the charge by protecting voice artists from unauthorized AI cloning.

Still, no state has matched the sweeping regulatory frameworks seen in places like the EU.

Even California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a major AI safety bill after months of back-and-forth, while Texas is currently grappling with its own version of an AI governance law that could face the same fate.

And then there’s Trump. Back in office and wasting no time, he’s already scrapped Biden’s executive orders meant to keep AI in check, favoring a hands-off approach to keep the U.S. ahead in the AI race.

Meanwhile, the political drama is heating up.

Tech giants—including Google, Microsoft, Apple, Meta, Amazon, and OpenAI are under scrutiny over their generous $1 million donations each to Trump’s inauguration.

Senators Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bennet are demanding answers, questioning whether these multi-million-dollar contributions are a strategic move to butter up the new administration and dodge tighter regulations.

And get this—some of these donations far exceed what the companies gave to Biden’s inauguration in 2021, and now, people can’t help but wonder what strings might be attached.

So, what’s next?

Well, 2024 was a whirlwind year for AI policy, packed with more drama, cash, and power plays than a season finale of Succession.

But the real question is: Can the U.S. figure out its AI game plan before it’s too late—or will it be another case of “regulate first, apologize later”?

For all the juicy details, check out the full story here!

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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman just dropped a game changer in the tech world with the unveiling of Operator, an AI agent capable of autonomously navigating the web. 

But that's not all—Altman’s ambitious World project is set to transform how we interact online by connecting AI agents to our digital identities.

Imagine a future where it's virtually impossible to tell if you're interacting with a real person or an AI agent; this is the vision behind World, which was initially known as Worldcoin.

Developed by Altman and Alex Blania’s Tools for Humanity, the initiative aims to offer digital “proof of human” tools, incorporating biometric verification.

Think scanning your eyeball with a sleek silver orb—to provide a blockchain-based unique identifier that confirms your humanity.

While World has had its share of twists and turns, including a rebranding from its crypto roots and controversies surrounding user data, it’s now focusing more on human verification and less on crypto.

According to chief product officer Tiago Sada, linking AI agents to our identities is a logical step forward.

He emphasizes the value of delegating your “proof of personhood” to these agents, allowing them to act on your behalf while ensuring that real humans are backing the interactions.

There are apps where it doesn’t matter if it’s a person or an agent acting for them,” Sada noted. “What matters is knowing a real person backs the interaction.

World is also stepping up its game in verifying "digital actions" tied to people—even if they don't come from their accounts.

The project predicts its AI tools will be game-changers by 2025, though Sada admits it’s unclear if these tools will link AI agents to individuals.

Meanwhile, many websites using tools like Cloudflare and Snowflake are already blocking AI bots, with OpenAI’s Operator facing default bans on some platforms.

However, Sada suggests that businesses will likely embrace this shift and allow some AI agents to use their services, as more AI engagement can translate to higher sales.

"At the end of the day, businesses want to sell more and serve more users," Sada explained. "If a delivery app boosts sales thanks to agents responding on behalf of users, the business will be thrilled with the outcome."

OpenAI is already teaming up with big names like Uber, Instacart, and DoorDash to allow its new Operator agent to use their platforms, showcasing a clear pivot toward a future where AI can streamline user interactions.

But let’s not forget the challenges.

Allowing just any AI agent access to online platforms poses risks like DDOS attacks and scams.

Sada proposes that by implementing a selective approach—permitting only a few verified agents per person—businesses can tap into the efficiency of AI without compromising their security.

Altman's ventures aren't just disparate projects; they’re weaving together a cohesive ecosystem centered on AI innovation.

From nuclear fusion startups to longevity science, everything he's involved with suggests a forward-thinking approach, with AI at the forefront.

As platforms gear up for a future where AI agents support user interactions, World may play a pivotal role in verifying those agents, ensuring a future where we can confidently engage with both humans and AI online.

Dive into the full story here and see how World is shaping the AI and digital identity frontier.

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