Big tech companies are funneling money through a science nonprofit to help pay the salaries of AI staffers in Congress, and it’s just one example of the increasing influence outside-funded fellows are exerting on tech policy in Washington. According to a report by The Intercept, the nonprofit TechCongress, which places tech experts in congressional offices, has received funding from Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Amazon, and other tech giants, as well as from foundations and think tanks that are backed by these companies. The report also reveals that some of the fellows placed by TechCongress have been involved in drafting or advising on legislation related to artificial intelligence, facial recognition, and other tech issues, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest and undue influence.
The report cites several examples of TechCongress fellows who have worked on AI-related bills or committees, such as:
A fellow who worked for Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, and helped draft the Algorithmic Accountability Act, which would require companies to audit their AI systems for bias and discrimination. The fellow was funded by Google, which has been accused of developing biased and discriminatory AI products, such as its facial recognition software and its search engine.
A fellow who worked for Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Calif., and helped advise on the AI in Government Act, which would create an AI advisory board and require federal agencies to adopt AI best practices. The fellow was funded by Microsoft, which has been lobbying for more government regulation and oversight of AI, as well as selling its AI services to federal agencies, such as the Pentagon and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
A fellow who worked for Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, and helped organize hearings and briefings on AI and national security. The fellow was funded by the Charles Koch Institute, which has been promoting a libertarian and anti-regulation agenda on tech issues, as well as investing in AI startups and research.
The report also notes that TechCongress does not disclose the sources of its funding or the amount of money it receives from each donor on its website, and that the fellows are not required to register as lobbyists or disclose their financial ties to the tech industry. The report also points out that TechCongress is not the only organization that places outside-funded fellows in Congress, and that there are other groups that have similar or even more opaque arrangements, such as the Congressional Innovation Fellowship, the Congressional Innovation Scholars, and the Tech and Innovation Policy
This article brings attention to the concerning influence of tech companies on AI policy through funding of congressional staffers, raising critical questions about transparency and potential conflicts of interest in legislative processes.