Technology
OpenAI's Lehane urges politicians to address AI public concerns before 2028
TechCrunch reports that OpenAI's Chris Lehane urges politicians to develop AI policy before 2028, while critics say the call serves the company's interests.
The short version
- TechCrunch reports that OpenAI's Chris Lehane says the 2028 presidential election could be a defining moment for AI.[TechCrunch]
- Lehane urges politicians to develop AI policies that address Americans' concerns, including backlash against data centers.[TechCrunch]
- Kate Brennan of the AI Now Institute says the rhetoric marks a shift from OpenAI's prior agenda and calls the New Deal comparison advocacy for the company's own benefit.[TechCrunch]
- Reporting notes OpenAI opposed California's 2024 AI safety bill, SB 1047, which would have required catastrophic risk evaluations.[TechCrunch]
Key facts
- Chris Lehane, OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, says the 2028 presidential election could be a defining moment for AI and urges politicians to develop policies addressing public concerns.[TechCrunch]
- Kate Brennan of the AI Now Institute says Lehane's rhetoric marks a notable shift from OpenAI's policy agenda the previous year, which focused on accelerating AI development, reducing regulatory barriers and expanding infrastructure.[TechCrunch]
- Brennan calls Lehane's New Deal comparison ahistorical at best and harmful at worst.[TechCrunch]
- In 2024 OpenAI opposed California's AI safety bill, SB 1047, which would have mandated catastrophic risk evaluations and shutdown capabilities.[TechCrunch]
What remains uncertain
- The verified ledger does not confirm the format in which Lehane made his remarks, so this story does not describe them as an essay.[TechCrunch]
- The reporting does not establish whether any of the proposed policies will be adopted.[TechCrunch]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.