In a strategic move to counter mounting public disapproval, leading artificial intelligence companies are aggressively funding policy initiatives and thinktanks. This effort aims to reshape the narrative around AI, as recent polls indicate a significant decline in public trust towards the technology.
Policy Papers and Thinktanks as PR Tools
OpenAI recently unveiled a 13-page policy document titled Industrial Policy for the Intelligence Age, which advocates for "people-first ideas" such as a four-day workweek and a public wealth fund to distribute profits to citizens. This follows the company's acquisition of the tech-friendly podcast TBPN and plans to establish a Washington DC office with a dedicated space for policymakers.
Similarly, rival firm Anthropic has announced the creation of the Anthropic Institute, a thinktank focused on exploring AI's societal disruptions. These initiatives come as AI's tangible impacts, from job displacement to energy concerns, fuel calls for greater scrutiny of big tech.
CEO Sam Altman on AI's Image Problem
At a BlackRock conference, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman highlighted the industry's challenges, noting that AI is "not very popular in the US right now," with datacenters blamed for electricity hikes and layoffs often attributed to AI. Despite this, the marketing push extends beyond image burnishing to potentially undermining independent regulatory efforts.
Lobbying Efforts and Regulatory Battles
Critics argue that while AI firms promote social welfare goals in public, they lobby aggressively behind the scenes for lax regulations. OpenAI spent nearly $3 million on lobbying in 2025 and co-founded a Super Pac that raised over $125 million, targeting candidates supportive of AI regulation.
The company is also backing an Illinois bill to shield AI firms from liability in cases of severe harm, such as creating chemical weapons. According to experts, the industry exploits gaps in state-level awareness to argue that regulation stifles innovation.
Alignment with Political Interests
The AI industry maintains close ties with the Trump administration, which has attempted to block state-level AI regulations through executive orders and pressure on lawmakers. This alignment underscores the sector's push to avoid stringent oversight while publicly advocating for policy discussions.
Public Distrust and Polling Data
Polls reveal deep-seated skepticism towards AI. A Pew Research Center survey found only 16% of Americans believe AI enhances creativity, and an NBC News poll showed just 26% of voters have a favorable opinion of AI, with ratings lower than some controversial agencies.
Reasons for this distrust include fears of job loss, ethical concerns, and antipathy towards big tech. In response, AI companies are increasing their public relations efforts and staffing up with former academics to control research narratives, though this raises questions about independence.
Expert Criticisms and Future Outlook
Sarah Myers West of the AI Now Institute notes that OpenAI's proposals abdicate responsibility, framing AI as an inevitable force rather than a regulatable product. As the industry grapples with its image problem, the focus on thinktanks and lobbying may intensify ahead of upcoming elections, shaping the debate over AI's role in society.
