The future of AI regulation is weaving an uneasy web of alliances in Washington DC. At a recent gala hosted by the Washington AI Network at the Waldorf Astoria, an unexpected mix of players from tech lobbyists to Shark Tank stars mingled, all eager to secure their piece of the pie.

Among them was the Vatican’s Papal Nuncio Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, tasked with delivering Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical on AI. Yet his message was drowned out by the clinking of cutlery and whispered deals. The tech industry, always seeking favour, now grapples with a more unpredictable political landscape under President Trump.

Trump’s executive order on advanced AI models is a rollercoaster of last-minute lobbying, illustrating the fragile balance between powerful voices. Despite this, the industry remains fixated on their regulatory asks, hoping for an outcome that aligns with their interests.

In the midst of these uncertainties, upcoming federal elections loom large. Tech companies must navigate not just party lines but the shifting sands of political power, making every vote count in a tumultuous environment.