OpenAI CEO Sam Altman sought to downplay the artificial intelligence sector's growing political influence during a visit to Capitol Hill on Wednesday, as questions mount over millions of dollars flowing into midterm races from pro-AI super PACs.
Speaking after meetings with lawmakers, Altman was pressed on OpenAI's role in primary elections nationwide. He responded, "I don't think we've been involved in a massive lobbying campaign. Maybe you know something I don't." He later acknowledged the company has "done some for sure," but insisted it was less than its competitors.
The remarks come amid scrutiny of Leading the Future, a network of super PACs that has poured millions into congressional primaries this cycle. Its backers include OpenAI president and co-founder Greg Brockman and his wife, Anna Brockman, fueling confusion over whether the company itself is behind the effort.
OpenAI issued a statement Monday clarifying that "no outside political group speaks for OpenAI or represents our company's views," and emphasized that the Brockmans' involvement is personal. Altman, who has donated to federal races in the past, said he "would love to see money out of politics in general," adding, "I think that would be a great thing to happen"—but only if applied to all companies equally.
When asked whether he had discussed the matter with Brockman, Altman sidestepped, saying, "You can't hold us to a different standard than all of our competitors. If they're trying to use money to gang up on us, we have to be able to fight back. I would love to see the rules across the board change."
Altman's Washington trip also included meetings with White House officials who helped craft President Trump's latest executive order on AI. The order, signed privately, requires AI labs to provide the government with their models for a testing period of up to 30 days before public release. OpenAI supports the directive and was a key partner in its development.
On the Hill, Altman met with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), members of the House Democratic Commission on AI, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Sanders later echoed concerns about the industry's political spending. "One of the problems we have is when folks like Mr. Altman, and not just him, sit down and they talk to senators and members of the House about how we can work together," Sanders told reporters. "The problem is it's not quite a fair and honest discussion because what they have behind them is unbelievable amounts of money to put into campaigns."
The episode underscores the tension between AI leaders' public stance on reform and the reality of their political spending. As the industry faces increased regulatory scrutiny, Altman's attempt to distance himself from the lobbying push may do little to ease concerns about its growing clout.
