OpenAI chief identifies AI as the primary issue for the 2028 election

The 2028 AI Agenda

Chris Lehane, the chief global affairs officer at OpenAI, recently released a memo titled '2028: The AI Election.' In the document, he argues that artificial intelligence will be the primary issue for the upcoming 2028 US presidential race. He compares the current era to the 1932 election, noting that a candidate who can define a new social contract for AI will have a significant advantage.

Lehane suggests that the political landscape is currently split between two extremes. On one side are those who want to let AI advance without any restrictions. On the other side are those who believe the technology should be kept under the control of a small, self-appointed elite. He is calling for a 'compelling third path' that balances progress with oversight.

The memo outlines five specific questions that Lehane believes candidates must answer to build a coherent AI agenda. These questions focus on safety, taxes, the impact on children and jobs, affordability, and the ongoing competition with China. By framing these issues now, OpenAI aims to shape the national conversation before the next election cycle begins.

Infrastructure and 'Compute Campuses'

A major portion of the memo addresses the physical requirements of AI, specifically data centers. Lehane warns that if the US does not maintain its lead in computing power, it could lose its position to China. He suggests that candidates might face pressure to support a moratorium on data centers, which could have significant economic consequences for the country.

OpenAI is also attempting to rebrand the way the public perceives these facilities. The company wants to refer to data centers as 'compute campuses' to better describe their scale and role in the economy. A spokesperson for the company confirmed this change, stating that the new name reflects the infrastructure being built for AI.

The memo highlights that data center construction is already a political flashpoint in several states. In October, one in five ads by Democratic candidates or groups mentioned these facilities. Most of these ads were concentrated in states like Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas, where many of these sites are currently being planned or built.

Safety and Speed Limits

OpenAI is advocating for what it calls 'speed limits' on the most powerful AI systems. This involves creating enforceable safety standards and independent assessments to ensure the technology remains under human control. Lehane emphasizes that AI is a machine rather than a person, which necessitates specific regulatory frameworks to prevent unintended consequences.

The company plans to begin a formal policy push in the lame-duck session of Congress starting on November 9. This initiative will include new ideas for mandatory safeguards on high-powered systems. They are also seeking national safety rules and proposing state laws that would give local residents a direct say in how compute campuses are constructed.

To support these goals, OpenAI is offering community deals for new data centers. They want to balance the need for rapid development with the concerns of local residents. By proposing state-level laws, they hope to create a structured way for communities to participate in the growth of AI infrastructure.

Jobs and Influence Operations

The memo also touches on the economic impact of AI, specifically regarding the workforce. Lehane points out that OpenAI’s compute campus in Piketon, Ohio, alone will require 25,000 skilled tradespeople to build and maintain. This highlights the potential for AI infrastructure to create significant jobs in the construction and trades sectors.

On the security front, OpenAI's analysts have identified likely influence operations from the Chinese Communist Party within the United States. These operations involved social media posts and images claiming that AI buildouts were causing household electricity bills to rise. This suggests that the narrative around AI costs and infrastructure is already being targeted by foreign actors.

Public opinion on these issues appears to be nuanced according to polling cited in the memo. While 66% of voters support continued AI development, a majority of those people also want stronger safeguards. Only 24% of those polled favor a complete pause on the technology, showing a preference for managed growth over a total halt.