The Lobbyist
Institutional & Governance
Works at the intersection of technology and government
The Lobbyist translates between the technology ecosystem and the regulatory environment — in both directions. They help regulators understand what they're actually regulating, and help companies understand what compliance actually requires. In hype cycles, this role becomes critical when the technology grows large enough to attract regulatory attention.
How it earns
Salary at policy organizations; retainer from industry clients; consulting fees from companies navigating regulatory environments.
How it fails
The revolving door: moving from government oversight to the industry they regulated, effectively converting regulatory knowledge into commercial advantage.
Real examples across cycles
Linux / Open Source
- the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) policy work
- the FFII's anti-software-patent campaign in the EU
- the Open Source Initiative's advocacy
Crypto
- Coin Center
- Blockchain Association
- Congressional Blockchain Caucus advisors
AI
- Anthropic and OpenAI policy teams
- EU AI Office stakeholders
- AI policy consultants
People who play this role
Your first step
Write a one-pager on a specific regulatory proposal — concrete, not theoretical.
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