AI Policy Institute
AI Policy Institute
The AI Policy Institute (AIPI) is a DC-based advocacy organization founded in 2023 that focuses on channeling public concern about AI into effective policy. Known for extensive public opinion polling on AI attitudes, media engagement, and direct advocacy with Congress on issues including deepfakes, autonomous AI agents, and AI safety standards.
Quick Assessment
| Dimension | Assessment | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Policy Influence | High | Direct Congressional engagement, cited in legislative debates on AI safety |
| Public Opinion Research | Very High | Extensive polling on AI attitudes, regularly cited in media |
| Media Presence | Very High | Frequent media appearances, effective at shaping public narrative |
| Research Depth | Moderate | More advocacy-focused than deep policy research |
| Bipartisan Reach | High | Engages both Republican and Democratic legislators |
| Independence | Moderate | Funded by donors with varying AI policy perspectives |
Organization Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2023 |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Structure | Nonprofit advocacy organization |
| Leadership | Daniel Colson (Co-founder & Executive Director) |
| Website | theaipi.org |
| Focus Areas | AI public opinion, deepfakes policy, autonomous agents, AI safety standards |
Overview
The AI Policy Institute (AIPI) was founded in 2023 amid a wave of new AI policy organizations entering Washington following the release of ChatGPT and growing public concern about AI risks. AIPI's distinctive approach centers on building a bridge between public concern about AI and concrete policy action, using extensive public opinion research to make the case for AI governance to legislators.
AIPI has conducted some of the most comprehensive polling on public attitudes toward AI, consistently finding high levels of concern about AI risks across partisan lines. These polling results have been widely cited in media coverage and legislative debates, helping to establish that AI governance is not a niche concern but a broadly popular policy priority.
Key Activities
Public Opinion Research: AIPI conducts regular polling on AI attitudes among the American public, covering topics from AI safety to deepfakes to autonomous weapons. Their surveys have been cited by major media outlets and used by legislators to build support for AI governance measures.
Deepfakes and Synthetic Media: AIPI has been particularly active on policy responses to AI-generated deepfakes, including non-consensual intimate imagery and election-related disinformation, advocating for federal legislation addressing these harms.
Autonomous AI Agents: As AI systems become more autonomous, AIPI has researched and advocated for policy frameworks governing AI agents that can take actions in the world with limited human oversight.
Congressional Engagement: AIPI maintains active relationships with Congressional offices across both parties, providing briefings, research, and policy recommendations on emerging AI governance issues.
Key Dynamics
Narrative influence: AIPI's greatest impact may be in shaping how policymakers and the public think about AI risks, rather than in producing the detailed policy proposals that organizations like CSET or GovAI specialize in.
Crowded DC landscape: AIPI operates in an increasingly crowded Washington AI policy space alongside Americans for Responsible Innovation, the Center for AI Policy (now largely inactive), and established think tanks like Brookings and CSIS.
Bipartisan messaging: AIPI has been effective at framing AI governance as a bipartisan issue, finding messaging that resonates with both Democratic concerns about discrimination and Republican concerns about national security and corporate power.
References
The AI Policy Institute (AIPI) is a nonpartisan research and advocacy organization focused on shaping AI governance and policy in the United States. It conducts public opinion research, policy analysis, and advocacy to ensure AI development benefits society while mitigating risks. AIPI works to influence legislators, regulators, and public discourse on AI safety and oversight.