OpenAI CEO Altman declines personal political donations

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated this week that he does not plan to make personal financial contributions to the upcoming U.S. elections, even as political spending from the technology sector increases. Altman made the remarks during a visit to Washington, D.C., where he met with several senior lawmakers and White House officials to discuss artificial intelligence policy.

Altman said he has no intention of personally funding political campaigns. He expressed a desire to see money play a reduced role in politics generally, but also argued that AI companies should not be held to a different standard than their competitors. You cannot hold us to a different standard than all of our competitors, Altman said. If they are trying to use money to gang up on us, we have to be able to fight back. He added that he would love to see the rules across the board change.

His comments come amid heightened political activity from influential figures in the AI industry. A super political action committee called Leading the Future, which is supported by OpenAI President Greg Brockman and his wife, Anna, has received $25 million in contributions from the couple. The group works to elect candidates...