OpenAI Backs Senate Bills That Could Shape AI Policy

On Tuesday, OpenAI expressed its support for three Senate proposals that could potentially influence the federal government’s position on artificial intelligence

One of the proposals, the Future of AI Innovation Act, would formally authorize the United States AI Safety Institute to become a federal body responsible for establishing standards and guidelines for AI models.

Numerous AI proposals are currently being debated in Congress, and OpenAI is lending its support to several of them

In a LinkedIn post, Anna Makanju, OpenAI’s Vice President of Global Affairs, stated, “We have consistently supported the institute’s mission, which leads the U.S. government’s efforts to ensure that frontier AI systems are developed and deployed safely.” Makanju asserts that the measure offers Congressional support for the new institute to “minimize the potential risks posed by this new technology.”

OpenAI also endorsed the NSF AI Education Act and the CREATE AI Act. These proposals establish AI educational resources within colleges and K-12 settings and provide federal scholarships for AI research.

Therefore, why is OpenAI, the company responsible for ChatGPT, now endorsing U.S. legislation? Makanju asserts in her LinkedIn post that OpenAI thinks that the government has a significant role to play in ensuring the safety and accessibility of AI. However, OpenAI is also at the forefront of generative AI, as can be revealed by reading between the lines.

The startup’s partnership with Microsoft and Apple has resulted in a $86 billion valuation. OpenAI is a probable candidate for regulatory scrutiny in the future; therefore, these endorsements assist OpenAI in establishing a positive relationship with federal legislators. On top of that, endorsements such as these enable OpenAI to participate in future discussions regarding AI regulation.

When requested for comment, an OpenAI spokesperson directed TechCrunch to Makanju’s LinkedIn post.

OpenAI, Microsoft, Meta, Palantir, Cohere, Amazon, and other organizations signed a letter to legislators on Monday supporting the AI Safety Institute. The institute is expected to collaborate with private and public organizations to establish standards for AI systems by the Future of AI Innovation Act.

The Future of AI Innovation Act also mandates that federal agencies generate curated datasets that are accessible to the public and are unlikely to be generated by private corporations.

The timing of OpenAI is not a coincidence; two of these proposals are scheduled for consideration in an Executive Session on Wednesday morning. It is a component of the delicate balancing act that OpenAI and other AI companies are engaging in to gain the favor of legislators who may ultimately determine their fate.