Our views on AI policy and political advocacy

OpenAI has released a comprehensive statement outlining its official position on artificial intelligence policy, regulatory engagement, and political advocacy. The announcement emphasizes the organization's commitment to transparency, responsible AI development, and meaningful collaboration with policymakers. This clarification comes as AI governance becomes an increasingly critical issue for governments and stakeholders worldwide.

OpenAI has established clear guidelines distinguishing between its legitimate policy engagement and unauthorized external political representation. The company reaffirms its dedication to working constructively with regulators and lawmakers to develop thoughtful, effective AI governance frameworks. The statement emphasizes that no outside political groups, organizations, or individuals are authorized to represent OpenAI's interests in policy discussions or advocacy efforts.

Key components of OpenAI's approach include:

• Support for evidence-based, thoughtful regulation that addresses genuine AI safety and societal risks
• Active participation in policy discussions to ensure regulatory frameworks are informed by technical expertise
• Commitment to transparency regarding the company's advocacy positions and regulatory interactions
• Independent verification that external claims of representation are unauthorized and do not reflect company positions
• Prioritization of AI safety research and responsible development practices alongside policy work

OpenAI's clarification is significant as the AI landscape faces increasing regulatory scrutiny. By explicitly outlining its policy engagement principles, OpenAI establishes a model for industry responsibility during a critical period of AI governance development. The statement demonstrates recognition that uncoordinated or misrepresented advocacy can undermine legitimate policymaking efforts and public trust in AI companies.

As regulatory bodies worldwide develop AI frameworks—from the European Union's AI Act to emerging U.S. federal guidelines—companies' transparent and authentic participation in these discussions becomes essential. OpenAI's commitment to clearly delineate authorized representation protects both the integrity of policy discussions and the credibility of its own advocacy work.

This positioning underscores a broader industry shift toward acknowledging the importance of responsible AI governance, establishing that leading AI organizations must actively shape policy conversations while maintaining ethical standards and public accountability in their advocacy efforts.