Abstract:
The U.S. midterm elections will be held on Tuesday. Immediately after the election, OpenAI will launch an intensive policy initiative and public relations campaign to adapt to the new political landscape in Washington. One such initiative is to rebrand the concept of data centers as “AI compute campuses.”
In the past two years, artificial intelligence companies have maintained friendly relations with the White House. But after Tuesday, with Democrats likely to win control of the House of Representatives, these companies will face a tougher Washington. At the same time, OpenAI also hopes to influence the artificial intelligence policy debate in the 2028 U.S. presidential election. By then, the field of potential presidential candidates will begin to take shape on Wednesday.
OpenAI chief global affairs officer Chris Lehane told us: "You can choose to chase the trend of the times, or you can try to influence the trend of the times through the power of ideas." He called Tuesday's election "the electoral turning point from one era to the next."
Since August, Lane and his team have been stockpiling policy proposals, both new ideas and repackaged old ones, aimed at heightening the sense of urgency around AI policy issues and steering the debate.
This series of actions will be launched first during the "lame-duck session" of the U.S. Congress. This refers to the transition period after the election until the new generation of representatives and senators are sworn in on January 3. Although the political situation at this stage is often awkward, it can still have significant policy implications. This year's lame duck session will begin on November 9.
The big picture: Technology companies are preparing for the "blue wave" that the Democratic Party may set off
Other technology companies are also preparing for a potential Democratic victory.
Meta is taking steps to strengthen ties with the Democratic Party. Other large artificial intelligence and technology companies are expected to take similar actions.
Those technology giants with close ties to President Trump will become the key targets of the Democratic Party. Democrats want to increase scrutiny and regulatory pressure on the tech industry.
OpenAI’s related plans were disclosed for the first time, and their core themes revolve around one concept: control. OpenAI tries to convey the message that the development of artificial intelligence is to serve humans, not to replace humans.
Specific proposals include the following aspects:
1. Set a “speed limit” for the development of artificial intelligence
Based on previous proposals, OpenAI plans to announce a new policy concept that requires the implementation of mandatory security measures for the most powerful artificial intelligence systems.
These measures are equivalent to setting a "speed limit" for artificial intelligence to ensure that humans can always control the steering wheel of technological development. OpenAI will also increase its efforts to promote relevant legislation in Congress.
Lane said:
"You will see us discussing the concept of 'speed limits' more and more."
“We believe that humans should always be in control of this technology. Artificial intelligence should be created by humans, for humans, and people should have a greater say in how this technology shapes their lives and communities.”
2. Data Center: Reshaping the Image of Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure
Facing a wave of opposition to data center construction across the United States that cuts across both party lines, OpenAI hopes to clear the way for future data center projects by proposing new community cooperation agreements and commitments.
In addition, the company plans to propose state-level legislation in an attempt to establish new industry standards and ensure that local residents have meaningful participation in deciding how projects are built and what benefits the community can receive from them.
In a rebranding move intended to spark discussion, OpenAI will argue that the infrastructure it builds is so fundamentally different from traditional data centers that it should be called "AI compute campuses." OpenAI believes that such parks can promote the economic transformation of local communities.
OpenAI specifically mentioned a large data center project it was involved in developing. The project is located in Pike County in Ohio's Appalachian region and is expected to create thousands of local jobs.
Lane said:
"We believe that such discussions are positive and healthy. This is a reflection of the role of the democratic system."
“Communities should demand that companies take responsibility and accept supervision to ensure that local areas truly receive transformative benefits from these projects.”
3. Economic Opportunities: Let more people benefit from artificial intelligence
OpenAI is developing a series of policy ideas, hoping to make more people realize that artificial intelligence can help them improve their daily lives and improve their work capabilities, rather than just being a potential threat.
Relevant measures include: helping workers cope with the employment impact of artificial intelligence; expanding the coverage of education and vocational training resources; and lowering the threshold for entrepreneurship and enterprise development.
Deeper meaning: Looking for a "third way" between two extreme positions
The AI policy debate is often reduced to two opposing positions: "doomers" who worry about the catastrophic consequences of AI on the one hand, and "accelerationists" who advocate accelerating technological development on the other.
OpenAI is trying to break this artificial binary opposition and propose a human-centered "third way."
In September this year, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman (Sam Altman) spoke at the United Nations Security Council, calling for an artificial intelligence development path that can catalyze a "new renaissance of creativity and discovery."
Worth attention next: OpenAI attempts to influence the 2028 US presidential election
OpenAI’s policy overtures are partly aimed at potential candidates for the 2028 US presidential election. Starting on Wednesday, these politicians are expected to become increasingly active in publicly articulating their vision for governance.
Lane said: "Artificial intelligence will become a core issue in the 2028 election."
He described the midterm elections as "a movie trailer for the 2028 election."
Lane further stated:
“I think just saying ‘AI is bad’ is no longer enough to win public support.”
"The public understands that this is a far more complex and nuanced discussion than a simple judgment of good or bad. They will be looking for the Roosevelt or Lincoln of this era—a leader who is truly willing to lead them through this transformational process."
Lane believes that presidential candidates should consider the following questions:
"How do we begin to think about trust? How do we think about the great anxiety that pervades modern society? How do we understand the fact that people are deeply dissatisfied with the current state of the social contract and the reality of the American Dream?"
OpenAI will continue to push Washington to speed up artificial intelligence regulatory actions
OpenAI’s plans for the next few months are just the beginning of the company’s attempt to increase the sense of urgency in policymaking in Washington and push the entire industry to pay more attention to the safety of cutting-edge artificial intelligence.
What you need to remember is that the capabilities of artificial intelligence models are increasing every day, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to control them within reasonable limits.
Lane said:
“Our policy priorities, especially the urgency we emphasize on cutting-edge AI safety issues, are responsive to the needs of the times created by rapid advances in technological capabilities.”
“We expect these efforts to continue as the new Congress begins its duties.”
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