Sam Altman bans fundraising in 2026 US elections
OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman has stated that he does not intend to make any financial contributions to this year’s US elections. This comes at a time when other billionaires from Silicon Valley have committed to significant spending aimed at influencing the midterm races that will determine control of Congress. During a visit to Washington on Wednesday, Altman expressed that although he does not plan to make political donations personally, he understands the motivations of those who have committed to funding campaigns, given the increasing resistance faced by their industry. “You cannot hold us to a different standard than that of our competitors. If they’re trying to use money to gang up on us, we have to be able to fight back,” Altman stated. “However, I would appreciate a comprehensive revision of the regulations.”
He added “I would love to see the influence of money removed from the political sphere in general. I believe that would be a significant development.” Other notable figures in the AI industry have engaged actively in the political arena. Leading the Future, a super political action committee supported by OpenAI President Greg Brockman and the co-founders of the Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, is actively working to elect candidates who are favourable to artificial intelligence. The committee is also contesting state-level initiatives aimed at restricting the new technology and limiting the development of data centers. Concurrently, surveys indicate a growing scepticism among Americans regarding artificial intelligence, with concerns centred on its implications for employment and environmental sustainability.
OpenAI has made efforts to separate itself from Leading the Future, an organization that has secured $25 million in contributions from Brockman and his spouse, Anna. OpenAI stated in a blog post on Tuesday that it does not have any affiliation with the super PAC advocating for a more lenient approach to AI regulation. OpenAI’s primary competitor, Anthropic PBC, has contributed $20 million to a competing super PAC, Public First Action, which promotes stricter regulations on AI safety. Sanders’ remarks following the meeting with Altman highlighted the developing political battle lines for November, and likely extending into 2028. “They have $300 million ready to go to take on any member of Congress who objects to what they are doing, and that is bad,” he stated. “The failure of Congress to advocate for the American populace in addressing AI issues can be attributed directly to the substantial financial influences at play.”
Altman’s visit to Capitol Hill occurred as OpenAI prepares for an initial public offering later this year, which could potentially value the company at nearly $1 trillion. Archrival AI developer Anthropic has filed confidentially for an IPO this week, following a funding round that valued the company at $965 billion. The OpenAI co-founder engaged with various legislators, notably Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. During his time in the nation’s capital, Altman engaged with administration officials at the White House to discuss the company’s regulatory agenda. The Washington visit occurred merely a day following President Donald Trump’s appeal for AI companies to voluntarily disclose advanced models for governmental scrutiny prior to their public launch.
