OpenAI's Chris Lehane proposes an AI policy agenda for the 2028 election

In a new essay, OpenAI chief global affairs officer Chris Lehane compares AI’s potential to transform the economy with the New Deal and calls for a “compelling third path” between adopting the technology and addressing Americans’ concerns. His five priorities include worker protections, education, AI safety and data center development, along with tax incentives for training, access to capital and employee profit-sharing.

TechCrunch notes that several proposals would also encourage broader AI adoption and the infrastructure expansion needed by companies such as OpenAI. Kate Brennan of the AI Now Institute told TechCrunch that the essay marks a shift from OpenAI’s previous agenda, but criticized its lack of requirements ensuring workers share in AI-generated wealth or companies bear the costs of job displacement. She also questioned the comparison with the New Deal, which placed constraints on corporate power.