OpenAI Dives into State Politics with High-Profile Hires
OpenAI has made a significant move in its push for state-level influence on AI legislation by hiring Jessica Schumer, daughter of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. She will lead policy and partnerships across the Northeast as part of the company's global affairs team.
This hire is just one piece of OpenAI's broader effort to shape regulations in key states that could become de facto national standards. With Congress unable to pass comprehensive AI legislation, states like California, New York, and Illinois have emerged as crucial arenas for AI safety, transparency, and cybersecurity regulation.
OpenAI has already had success influencing AI transparency laws in both California and New York. The company appears to be pursuing a 'reverse federalism' approach by trying to shape regulations at the state level rather than waiting for a top-down federal framework.