Anthropic and OpenAI are actively recruiting former Trump administration officials to bolster their ties with Washington, as the AI industry seeks to navigate growing regulatory scrutiny and national security concerns. Anthropic has appointed at least two Trump administration veterans, including one to its board and another as head of frontier compute strategy. OpenAI has hired at least three former officials for roles in strategy and special projects. The moves come as AI companies face increasing pressure from the U.S. government, which has designated some firms as supply chain risks and imposed various regulatory measures.
The relationships between AI companies and the Trump administration have been complex. While President Trump has dismissed AI safety concerns as a "hoax" and advocated for self-regulation, he has also indicated that law enforcement agencies could intervene to control AI. Anthropic, in particular, has had a contentious relationship with the administration but has recently sought to mend fences. CEO Dario Amodei joined a lunch with Trump and other AI executives and dined with the president in September. The company has also secured key personnel, including Sihao Huang, a former senior policy advisor for AI and emerging technology at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
OpenAI has also been proactive in strengthening its ties with the government. The company recently hired Thomas Lind, who led AI policy at the Office of the National Cyber Director, to head its cyber and strategic risk team. Dean Ball, a former senior policy advisor at OSTP, joined OpenAI in July to oversee strategic futures. These hires reflect the growing importance of AI in national security and the need for companies to have insiders who understand government policies and priorities.
The recruitment drive is also seen as a strategic move ahead of potential IPOs for both companies. Michelle Nie Duncan, a visiting fellow with the Center for a New American Security, noted that these companies offer attractive compensation packages and the opportunity to shape the future of AI governance. "The AI labs are becoming some of the most consequential institutions in the world," she said, highlighting the leverage these firms have in influencing policy.