OpenAI bolsters policy team amid rising legislative scrutiny

OpenAI has expanded its global affairs team by hiring three key policy professionals, according to a spokesperson for the lab. The hires include individuals with ties to both Republican and Democratic parties, as well as industry experience, reflecting the intensifying bipartisan efforts to regulate artificial intelligence across the country. Jessica Schumer, former Council of Economic Advisers chief of staff under President Obama, will oversee policy and partnerships in the Northeast. The company is facing a surge in state legislative activity and is adopting a "reverse federalism" strategy under the leadership of top lobbyist Chris Lehane. This approach involves large, influential states enacting similar regulations, effectively creating a de facto national standard. With cyber threats on the rise and legislators under pressure to act, Schumer, Harvill-Childs, and MacLellan will need to quickly establish their presence and influence in the policy landscape.