Key Takeaways
- Scale AI Inc. has added VM Group LLC to its roster of outside lobbying firms, retaining Phil MacNaughton Jr. and Chris Vieson to lobby on defense matters.
- The company spent $3.15 million on lobbying over the last four quarters and employs 38 active lobbyists.
- Over the past five years, Scale AI has lobbied most frequently on defense (60 times), intelligence/surveillance (25 times), and science/technology (28 times).
- Meta owns a 49 percent stake in Scale AI, tying the firm to one of the world’s largest tech conglomerates.
- Congressional leaders have pressed AI companies, including Scale AI, to disclose efforts to counter Chinese espionage and protect sensitive model data.
- Recent National Defense Authorization Acts (FY2025 and FY2026) contain provisions for AI testing, cybersecurity, and related oversight.
- Lawmakers note the absence of a federal law requiring disclosure of AI model breaches and stress the need for resilient connectivity infrastructure.
Scale AI Expands Its Lobbying Team with VM Group LLC
Scale AI Inc., an artificial‑intelligence data‑infrastructure firm that supplies AI and data‑labeling services to the U.S. Department of Defense and the intelligence community, has brought VM Group LLC into its stable of outside lobbying firms. According to the source material, “Phil MacNaughton Jr. and Chris Vieson lobbied for Scale AI Inc. on defense issues in 2026 through VM Group LLC.” The addition follows the termination of Scale AI’s prior relationship with SHW Partners LLC on July 27, with the VM Group registration signed on August 28. This move signals Scale AI’s intent to deepen its influence on defense‑policy conversations as AI becomes a core component of military modernization.
Scale AI’s Lobbying Expenditure and Activity Metrics
The company’s lobbying footprint has grown markedly. Over the past four quarters Scale AI spent $3.15 million on lobbying activities and maintains a roster of 38 active lobbyists. In a five‑year window, the firm engaged in lobbying on defense matters 60 times, intelligence and surveillance 25 times, and science and technology 28 times. Additional lobbying touches included budget and appropriations (9 times), computer‑industry issues (4 times), labor and antitrust (3 times), economics and economic development (3 times), and energy and nuclear issues (2 times). These figures illustrate a sustained, multi‑dimensional effort to shape policy across the federal landscape.
Key Personnel and Firm Transitions in Scale AI’s Lobbying Efforts
Phil MacNaughton Jr. has been registered to lobby on defense matters for Scale AI since August 2025, and his collaboration with Chris Vieson through VM Group LLC continues into 2026. The shift from SHW Partners LLC to VM Group LLC reflects a strategic realignment after Scale AI’s July 27 termination of the former partnership. While VM Group now handles specific defense‑focused outreach, Scale AI retains other external firms and an in‑house team to cover a broader policy agenda. This layered approach allows the company to tailor messages to different committees and agency stakeholders.
Continued Partnerships and In‑House Policy Leadership
Beyond VM Group LLC, Scale AI continues to work with several established lobbying shops: Cornerstone Government Affairs Inc., Mehlman Consulting Inc., and S-3 Group LLC. Internally, the firm relies on Max Fenkell, Global Head of Policy and Government Relations, and Ariel Marshall, Congressional Lead, to coordinate day‑to‑day advocacy. The blend of external expertise and internal leadership enables Scale AI to pursue both specialized defense‑sector initiatives and wider technology‑policy goals, ranging from AI ethics to federal procurement reform.
The Pentagon’s Growing Reliance on AI and Scale AI’s Role
The Pentagon’s contract with Scale AI exemplifies the U.S. military’s broader push to embed artificial intelligence into operations, logistics, and intelligence analysis. As noted in the source, “The Pentagon’s contract with Scale AI represents the latest step in the U.S. military’s effort to rely more on artificial intelligence.” This relationship positions Scale AI as a critical conduit for delivering labeled data sets that train machine‑learning models used in everything from target recognition to predictive maintenance. The deepening integration raises both opportunities for enhanced capability and questions about oversight, accountability, and the potential for foreign influence.
Meta’s Stake and Congressional Letters on AI Security
Meta Platforms Inc. holds a 49 percent ownership stake in Scale AI, linking the AI data firm to one of the world’s largest social‑media and technology conglomerates. Congressional scrutiny has intensified, with Senators Chuck Grassley and Jim Banks sending letters to nine AI companies—including Meta, Microsoft, Google, OpenAI, Anthropic, x.AI Corp., Amazon, Safe Superintelligence Inc., and Thinking Machines Lab—urging them to detail efforts to detect and guard against Chinese espionage, manage insider threats from China, and safeguard sensitive AI model information. Scale AI was explicitly mentioned in hearings examining national‑security risks posed by Chinese artificial intelligence and robotics technologies, as well as in discussions of AI’s role in American competitiveness.
Recent Legislation and Hearings Addressing AI and National Security
Legislative activity underscores the heightened focus on AI policy. The FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) included a provision establishing a Department of Defense testing program for AI, while the FY2026 NDAA contains numerous clauses concerning cyber‑related issues and artificial intelligence. Representative John R. Moolenaar’s H.R. 119 was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Intelligence on April 15. Additional AI‑related bills include legislation sponsored by Rep. Jay Obernolte (with seven cosponsors) and measures introduced by Reps. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez and Pablo José Hernández. These initiatives reflect a bipartisan push to create standards, oversight mechanisms, and funding streams for responsible AI development and deployment.
Lawmakers Highlight Gaps in AI Breach Disclosure and Connectivity Needs
Concerns about AI security and data transparency have emerged in congressional hearings. Rep. Kat Trahan observed that “there is no federal law requiring disclosure of AI model breaches,” highlighting a regulatory gap that could leave vulnerabilities unaddressed. Rep. August Pfluger spoke at a House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing on July 22, emphasizing the need for robust reporting frameworks. Meanwhile, Sen. Ted Cruz urged the adoption of multiple network technologies—fiber, wireless, and satellite—to ensure resilient AI connectivity across the nation at a Senate hearing on July 30. These remarks point to a dual challenge: securing AI systems against intrusion while guaranteeing the infrastructure needed to support their operation at scale.
What the Evolving Lobbying Landscape Means for Scale AI and National AI Policy
Scale AI’s expanded lobbying apparatus, bolstered by VM Group LLC and backed by a substantial financial commitment, situates the firm at the nexus of defense innovation, corporate strategy, and legislative influence. As the Pentagon leans harder on AI for competitive advantage, Scale AI’s data‑labeling expertise becomes increasingly valuable—and potentially more scrutinized. Meta’s sizable ownership adds another layer of interest, given its own global reach and data practices. Simultaneously, lawmakers are pressing for clearer standards on AI security, breach disclosure, and supply‑chain resilience, while advancing NDAA provisions that could shape testing, procurement, and oversight regimes. The outcome of these policy tug‑of‑wars will likely determine how quickly and safely AI technologies are integrated into national security frameworks, and how firms like Scale AI navigate the accompanying regulatory and reputational terrain.
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