The U.S. midterm elections take place on Tuesday. Immediately afterward, OpenAI will launch an intensive policy advocacy and public relations campaign to adapt to Washington's new political landscape.
One of its moves is to rebrand data centers as "AI compute campuses."
Over the past two years, AI companies have maintained a friendly relationship with the White House. But after Tuesday, with Democrats likely to win control of the House, these companies will face a more confrontational Washington.
At the same time, OpenAI also hopes to influence the AI policy debate in the 2028 U.S. presidential election. By then, potential presidential candidate camps will begin to take shape starting Wednesday.
Chris Lehane, OpenAI's Chief Global Affairs Officer, told us: "You can either chase the tide of the times, or you can try to shape it through the power of ideas." He called Tuesday's election "an electoral turning point from one era to the next."
Since August, Lehane and his team have been stockpiling policy proposals, including both entirely new ideas and repackaged older ones, aimed at heightening the sense of urgency around AI policy issues and steering the direction of the debate.
This series of actions will first unfold during the U.S. Congress's "lame-duck session." This refers to the transition period after the election until new representatives and senators are sworn in on January 3. Although this phase is often politically awkward, it can still produce significant policy impact. This year's lame-duck session begins on November 9.
The Bigger Picture: Tech Companies Brace for a Possible Democratic "Blue Wave"
Other tech companies are also positioning themselves ahead of a possible sweeping Democratic victory. Meta is taking steps to strengthen ties with Democrats. Other major AI and tech companies are expected to follow suit.
Those tech giants with close ties to President Trump will become prime targets for Democrats. Democrats want to intensify scrutiny and regulatory pressure on the tech industry.
OpenAI's plans are being disclosed here for the first time, and their core themes all revolve around one concept: control.
OpenAI is trying to convey this message: AI is being developed to serve humanity, not replace it.
The specific proposals include the following:
1. Setting "Speed Limits" on AI Development
Building on previous proposals, OpenAI plans to unveil new policy ideas requiring mandatory safety safeguards for the most capable AI systems. These measures amount to setting "speed limits" for AI, ensuring that humans always keep their hands on the wheel of technological development.
OpenAI will also intensify its efforts to push related legislation in Congress.
Lehane said: "You will see us talking more and more about the concept of 'speed limits.'"
"We believe humans should always retain control over this technology. AI should be created by humans and serve humans, and people should have a greater say in how this technology shapes their lives and communities."
2. Data Centers: Reshaping the Image of AI Infrastructure
Facing a wave of bipartisan opposition to data center construction across the United States, OpenAI hopes to clear obstacles for future data center projects by proposing new community partnership agreements and commitments.
In addition, the company plans to propose state-level legislative recommendations aimed at establishing new industry standards, ensuring that local residents can genuinely participate in deciding how projects are built and what benefits communities receive.
In a rebranding move intentionally designed to spark discussion, OpenAI will argue that the infrastructure it builds is fundamentally different from traditional data centers and should therefore be called "AI compute campuses."
OpenAI contends that such campuses can drive economic transformation in their host communities.
OpenAI specifically mentioned a large data center project it is involved in developing. Located in Pike County in Ohio's Appalachian region, the project is expected to create thousands of local jobs.
Lehane said: "We think this kind of discussion is positive and healthy. This is exactly what democracy in action looks like."
"Communities should demand that companies be held accountable and subject to oversight, ensuring that local areas truly receive transformative benefits from these projects."
3. Economic Opportunity: Letting More People Benefit from AI
OpenAI is developing a series of policy ideas aimed at helping more people recognize that AI can help them improve their daily lives and enhance their work capabilities, rather than being merely a potential threat.
Related measures include: helping workers cope with job displacement caused by AI; expanding access to education and vocational training resources; and lowering the barriers to entrepreneurship and business development.
Deeper Meaning: Finding a "Third Way" Between Two Extremes
The AI policy debate is often reduced to two opposing camps: "doomers" who fear catastrophic consequences from AI, and "accelerationists" who advocate speeding up technological development.
OpenAI is trying to break this artificial binary and propose a human-centered "third way."
In September, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, speaking at the United Nations Security Council, called for an AI development path that could usher in "a new Renaissance of creativity and discovery."
What to Watch Next: OpenAI's Bid to Influence the 2028 U.S. Presidential Election
Part of OpenAI's policy outreach is aimed at potential candidates in the 2028 U.S. presidential election. These political figures are expected to become increasingly active in publicly articulating their policy visions starting Wednesday.
Lehane said: "AI will be a core issue in the 2028 election." He described this midterm election as "a movie trailer for the 2028 election."
Lehane further stated: "I think simply saying 'AI is bad' is no longer enough to win public support."
"The public understands that this is a far more complex and nuanced discussion than a simple good-or-bad judgment. They will be looking for the Roosevelt or Lincoln of this era — a leader truly willing to guide them through this transition."
Lehane believes presidential candidates should think about the following questions: "How should we begin to think about the issue of trust? How should we view the enormous anxiety prevalent in modern society? And how should we understand the fact that people are deeply dissatisfied with the current state of the social contract and the reality of the American Dream?"
OpenAI Will Keep Pushing Washington to Accelerate AI Regulation
OpenAI's plans for the coming months are just the beginning of the company's efforts to heighten the sense of urgency among Washington policymakers and push the entire industry to place greater emphasis on frontier AI safety.
Keep in mind: AI models are growing more capable every day, and keeping them within reasonable bounds is becoming increasingly difficult.
Lehane said: "Our policy priorities, especially the urgency we emphasize on frontier AI safety issues, are all about responding to the demands of the times created by rapidly advancing technological capabilities."
"As the new Congress begins its work, we expect these efforts to continue."
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