Sam Altman: AI Money in US Politics Isn't Working
Sam Altman (get the details) (learn more), OpenAI chief executive, has told Politico that he no longer donates to political candidates and would not discuss Greg Brockman's super PAC gift. In an episode of Decoded, Politico's podcast, Altman stated that while people love using AI tools, they are concerned about job security and power centralization. He believes political spending won't alleviate these fears and that the industry is tone-deaf to them.
Altman mentioned his past support for individual candidates but noted OpenAI's current government business makes such donations inappropriate. When asked if the industry should reduce political spending before the 2028 election, he expressed a desire for less money in politics but questioned the industry's ability to self-regulate.
The conversation also touched on his praise for California governor Gavin Newsom and his involvement in a children’s chatbot safety bill. Altman sees potential for Newsom to repair ties between Democrats and Silicon Valley.
Additionally, the interview addressed his recent split with Anthropic regarding AI rules.
Key Takeaways:
- Altman believes AI political spending isn't effective in building public trust.
- He advocates for overall reduction in political money, but doesn't think industry can unilaterally achieve this.
- Praises Newsom's inclusive approach to policy-making.
- OpenAI is focused on its role in shaping the future of AI.