OpenAI Plans Post Election AI Policy Push

OpenAI will start a policy and public relations campaign right after Tuesday's US midterm elections, Axios reports. The effort includes rebranding data centres as "AI compute campuses" and aims to help frame the AI debate for the 2028 presidential contenders.

Chief global affairs officer Chris Lehane said the campaign will begin during the lame duck session of Congress, according to a detailed account of the plan. A central element is a push for mandatory safeguards on the most capable AI systems, which OpenAI calls speed limits that keep humans in control. "You're going to see us talk more and more about the concept of speed limits," Lehane said.

OpenAI also plans new community agreements for data centre projects and a proposal for state legislation that would give residents a say in how facilities are built and what benefits they receive. The package covers support for workers facing disruption, access to education and training, and US leadership on international AI standards. Lehane predicted that AI will be the defining issue of the 2028 presidential race.