OpenAI enlists local lobbyist as regulation looms
Filings show that the company has appointed a lobbyist in Australia amid increased scrutiny of AI by the ACCC and the Attorney-General’s office.
A year and a half after ChatGPT became available in Australia, OpenAI has tapped a local lobbying firm to represent it before the Australian government, documents reveal.
Last week, OpenAI was listed as a client of Bourke Street Advisory, a “boutique government relations” firm, on the Attorney-General’s lobbyist register. Bourke Street Advisory also lobbies on behalf of online gaming platform Roblox, and the Post Office Agents Association, according to the registry.
This move comes as artificial intelligence in Australia is under scrutiny by the ACCC and the Attorney-General’s office. The Department of Industry has also started moving towards creating a framework for the responsible use and development of AI, although these efforts have yet to result in a bill or regulation proposal.
“To some extent, I’m a bit surprised they haven’t done it before,” said Rob Nicholls, a senior research associate at the University of Sydney who works across digital policy regulation, regarding OpenAI establishing contact with the Australian government.
