OpenAI Launches Post-Election AI Policy Campaign with New Safeguards

OpenAI plans a post-election policy campaign that includes mandatory safeguards for the most powerful AI systems. OpenAI chief global affairs officer Chris Lehane and Lehane's team have assembled new and previously developed proposals since August to increase urgency and influence the AI debate. The campaign will begin during Congress's lame-duck session, which opens November 9. The session precedes the January 3 swearing-in of new House members and senators.

AI companies face a tougher Washington after two years of a friendly White House, with Democrats likely to win the House on Tuesday. Democrats want greater scrutiny and regulatory pressure on technology companies, particularly industry leaders with close relationships with President Trump. Meta is working to improve relations with Democrats ahead of a potential Democratic electoral surge. Other major technology and AI companies can be expected to take similar steps.

OpenAI wants the proposals to convey that AI serves people rather than replaces people. OpenAI plans to expand earlier safeguard proposals and intensify efforts in Congress. Lehane said people should retain control over AI and gain greater influence over how AI affects people's lives and communities.

OpenAI hopes new community agreements and commitments will reduce bipartisan opposition nationwide to data centers and facilitate future projects. OpenAI will propose state legislation giving residents meaningful influence over project construction and the benefits residents receive. OpenAI intends the legislation to establish a new industry standard. OpenAI will advocate calling the infrastructure the company builds "AI compute campuses," distinguishing the facilities from older data centers and arguing that the facilities can transform local economies. OpenAI cites the company's involvement in a large data center project promising thousands of jobs in Pike County, in Ohio's Appalachian region. Lehane welcomed the public debate and said communities should demand accountability and transformative benefits from companies building the projects.

OpenAI is developing proposals to help people view AI as useful in everyday life and employment. The proposals cover assistance for workers facing disruption, broader education and training access, and easier business creation and expansion. OpenAI will also advocate US leadership in setting international AI standards grounded in democratic values.

OpenAI is seeking a people-centered alternative to a debate often divided between those warning of AI catastrophe and those favoring faster development. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman urged an approach enabling a "new Renaissance of creativity and discovery" during a September address to the UN Security Council.

OpenAI also aims to influence the AI discussion among a large field of 2028 presidential contenders expected to begin forming on Wednesday. The contenders are expected to discuss policy plans more frequently starting Wednesday. Lehane predicted that AI will dominate the 2028 election debate and described the midterms as a preview. Lehane argued that simply opposing AI will not satisfy a public that recognizes the issue's complexity. Lehane said voters will seek leadership comparable to FDR or Lincoln to guide the public through AI-driven change. Lehane urged candidates to address trust, widespread anxiety and deep dissatisfaction with the social contract and the American dream.

The coming months' proposals represent the start of a broader OpenAI effort to increase Washington's urgency and strengthen the industry's approach to frontier safety. AI models become more capable and harder to control every day. Lehane said rapidly advancing capabilities explain OpenAI's policy priorities and urgency, particularly on frontier safety. Lehane said OpenAI expects those advances to continue as the new Congress begins work.