Record AI lobbying in Washington. Who writes the rules everywhere else?

In the third quarter, Nvidia spent 2.2 million dollars on lobbying in the United States, Anthropic 2.1 million and OpenAI 1.5 million, all records and on a par with Microsoft and Google, on topics from AI safety and export controls to antitrust and data centre energy costs (The Verge).

Smaller countries play in the same field with fewer voices. Switzerland decided in 2025 to ratify the Council of Europe's AI Convention and adapt its law sector by sector, with a consultation draft due by the end of 2026 (BAKOM). Republik reported, as its own claim, that US trade representatives and tech firms pressed Swiss authorities against digital sovereignty projects.

Innovation first is the right course for small, open economies, but it must not become "whoever speaks loudest first". Consultations are the moment when companies that use AI, and have no lobbyists, can make themselves heard.

The loudest voices rarely belong to the people whose jobs change. Workers, trainers and small employers know what AI does in practice, and they deserve a seat at the table. Upskilled workers are also better advocates for themselves.

Practical step: name one person who follows AI policy for your organisation, collect your practical concerns now and send them in through your association.