OpenAI's Vision to Influence the 2028 U.S. Election Through AI Policy

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OpenAI's Chris Lehane proposes a New Deal–style approach for AI policies ahead of the 2028 U.S. election, emphasizing worker protections, AI safety, and infrastructure while encouraging broad AI adoption and economic benefits.

OpenAI’s chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane, has articulated a vision positioning the 2028 U.S. presidential election as a critical juncture for artificial intelligence policy. In an essay detailed by TechCrunch on November 4, 2026, Lehane advocates for a “compelling third path” that addresses Americans’ economic anxieties related to AI, likening the situation to the transformative challenges and reforms of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal era.

Lehane urges politicians to move beyond merely acknowledging public concerns about AI and data center expansions, instead proposing policy priorities that include worker protections, education reforms focused on AI skills, AI safety standards, and the development of infrastructure critical for AI’s continued growth. His recommendations underscore the potential for AI to foster widespread economic prosperity if its deployment is thoughtfully managed.

The essay arrives in the context of recent political shifts, including Democrats' unexpected congressional gains amid voter discontent over living costs, with many constituents expressing frustration over issues such as rising electricity bills linked to data centers. Despite acknowledging these concerns, Lehane emphasizes incentives designed to accelerate AI adoption and infrastructure expansion, reflecting interests aligned with OpenAI’s business objectives.

Critics like Kate Brennan from the AI Now Institute highlight tensions in Lehane’s approach, noting his focus on enabling AI’s upside rather than imposing substantive measures to prevent wealth concentration or job displacement. Brennan contrasts this with historical New Deal policies, which included firm worker protections and corporate regulations, pointing out the absence of binding requirements in Lehane’s proposals to ensure equitable distribution of AI-generated wealth.

Lehane’s vision also tackles child safety and education, stressing safeguards for AI use among minors and advocating for AI integration in classrooms to prevent educational disparities. He proposes enforceable AI safety regulations, independent assessments, and mechanisms such as kill switches to manage AI risks, though some experts question OpenAI’s past resistance to comparable legislative efforts.

Throughout, Lehane frames AI as a means for restoring Americans’ agency and securing economic opportunity, entrenching the role of companies like OpenAI in shaping the future economy. However, the degree to which his proposals would redistribute economic power or reinforce existing structures remains uncertain. At the time of reporting, OpenAI had not provided further details on these policy proposals or comments on the ongoing debate.