Altman rules out political donations amid AI lobbying surge – Firstpost

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said he does not plan to make any financial contributions to political campaigns in the United States this election cycle, drawing a line at a time when Silicon Valley billionaires are ramping up spending to influence the outcome of the next round of congressional contests.

Speaking during a visit to Washington, D.C., Altman said on Wednesday that while he understands why some in the technology industry are funding political efforts, he personally does not intend to participate in election financing this year.

“I don’t think I have plans to make any political donations,” Altman said, when asked about his involvement in the upcoming US electoral cycle. His remarks come as major technology figures increase their political engagement ahead of the midterms that will shape control of Congress.

The comments arrive against the backdrop of rising political spending from the artificial intelligence and broader tech sector, with multiple billionaire-backed groups and super PACs pouring money into key congressional primaries.

Industry-linked political networks, including pro-AI fundraising groups, have reportedly channelled millions of dollars into campaigns this cycle, intensifying scrutiny over how emerging technologies are shaping US policymaking through financial influence.

Altman, however, sought to distance OpenAI from claims of coordinated political campaigning.

Responding to questions about whether OpenAI has been actively involved in election-related lobbying efforts, he said the company’s engagement had been limited.

“I don’t think we’ve been involved in a massive lobbying campaign. Maybe you know something I don’t,” he remarked, adding that OpenAI had done “some for sure” activity, but less than some of its competitors.

Questions over AI-linked political networks

The discussion also comes amid confusion over the role of industry-linked political action committees, including networks supporting AI policy positions.

Reporters referenced “Leading the Future,” a coalition of pro-AI super PACs that has reportedly spent heavily in congressional primaries. Some of its backers include individuals closely associated with OpenAI leadership, raising questions about the boundary between personal political activity and corporate positioning.

OpenAI has previously clarified that such efforts are not formally tied to the company. “No outside political group speaks for OpenAI or represents our company’s views,” it said in a statement earlier this week, noting that involvement by executives or their families is in a personal capacity.

‘Money in politics should go away’: Altman

Altman, who has made political donations in the past, also said he would prefer a broader reduction in the influence of money in US politics.

“I would love to see money out of politics in general,” he said, adding that such a change would need to apply uniformly across industries.

At the same time, he argued that companies in the AI sector cannot be held to different standards than competitors.

“You can’t hold us to a different standard than all of our competitors,” he said. “If they’re trying to use money to gang up on us, we have to be able to fight back.”

High-level Washington meetings

Altman was in Washington this week for a series of meetings with senior US policymakers as the debate over AI regulation intensifies.

He met lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, including congressional leaders and members involved in shaping artificial intelligence policy. Discussions also included officials connected to recent White House executive action on AI governance.

The executive order reportedly allows AI companies to provide models to the government for testing periods of up to 30 days prior to public release, signalling a more structured regulatory approach from the administration.

OpenAI has publicly supported the framework and has been engaged in discussions around its implementation.