OpenAI Lobbyist Urges 2028 Hopefuls to Set AI Agenda
OpenAI’s top lobbyist, Chris Lehane, has circulated a memo to about six prospective presidential candidates, along with some members of Congress and political operatives, urging them to make artificial intelligence a central part of their 2028 campaigns. The memo argues that candidates need a broader governing philosophy for AI, not just campaign lines on individual issues.
Lehane, a Democratic operative who served as communications spokesperson for former Vice President Al Gore, proposes a middle course between allowing AI to develop without limits and leaving technological decision-making to a small group. He compares the opportunity facing the next president to the New Deal era, saying the country needs to reconsider how people relate to a transformative technology.
The memo warns that opposition to data centers could create political difficulties for Democrats, especially if voters see that stance as blocking US leadership in AI. Lehane argues that communities’ concerns about data centers, including higher electricity costs, should be addressed without treating the infrastructure itself as the problem. He also likens losing the AI race to China to a defining political mistake, comparing it to the 2002 decision to launch the Iraq War.
His proposed issues for candidates include keeping humans involved in consequential decisions, protecting children, updating tax policy and making life more affordable. Lehane says voters should be shown how they can shape AI’s development and benefit from it. OpenAI declined to comment. Both parties are expected to confront AI policy as the next presidential contest approaches.
OpenAI’s AI Pitch Pressures Democrats to Defend Data Centers
OpenAI is already pressing prospective 2028 candidates to shape the debate over artificial intelligence—and its lobbyist’s message warns Democrats that resistance to data centers could leave them on the wrong side of the issue. Chris Lehane’s memo urges candidates to offer a governing philosophy that supports AI while addressing its effects on people’s lives.
Lehane calls for a middle path between unchecked development and control by a self-appointed elite. But his argument also cautions candidates against treating data center infrastructure as the problem, even as communities face concerns such as higher electricity costs. The memo casts opposition to these projects as a potential obstacle to US leadership over China.
That is a consequential choice for candidates: whether to emphasize the interests of AI developers or make clear how communities and families will be protected as the technology expands. Lehane says candidates should address human oversight of important decisions, children’s safety, taxes and affordability. He also invokes the New Deal as a model for rethinking the relationship between people and transformative technology.
The memo went to about six prospective presidential contenders, as well as some lawmakers and political operatives. OpenAI declined to comment. With both parties expected to confront AI policy in the run-up to 2028, Lehane’s pitch makes clear that the industry wants candidates to debate how to manage the technology without rejecting the infrastructure it needs.
OpenAI Warns 2028 Candidates Against Blocking AI’s Future
OpenAI is urging 2028 hopefuls not to confuse public concern about data centers with a case for stopping artificial intelligence. In a memo circulated to about six prospective presidential candidates, lobbyist Chris Lehane argues that candidates should show voters how to benefit from AI rather than offer only opposition to the infrastructure behind it.
Lehane’s proposed approach rejects both unrestrained development and control by a small, self-appointed group. He says local concerns, including higher electricity costs, must be solved—but argues that infrastructure itself should not be treated as the enemy. The memo warns that losing the AI lead to China could become a defining political failure, and compares that risk to the 2002 decision to launch the Iraq War.
The message challenges politicians who would answer anxiety about AI by opposing data centers without setting out a plan for the technology’s benefits. Lehane calls on candidates to address affordability, tax policy, protections for children and human involvement in consequential decisions. He likens the moment to 1932, when the next president could redefine the country’s relationship with a powerful new force.
The memo was also sent to some members of Congress and political operatives. OpenAI declined to comment. As both parties prepare for the next presidential contest, candidates will have to confront whether the United States can lead in AI while addressing the costs and concerns surrounding its expansion.
Reported by Business Insider, The Daily Caller.
