OpenAI plans post-midterm policy push built on AI speed limits

OpenAI plans to launch a policy and public relations campaign after the US midterm elections on Tuesday, 3 November, starting in the lame-duck session of Congress, Axios reported on 1 November. OpenAI said the centrepiece would be new ideas for mandatory safeguards on the most powerful AI systems, which it says would keep humans in control.

Chris Lehane, OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, said: "Our belief is people should always remain in control of this technology." The quote was reported by Implicator.ai, which also described the proposals as speed limits.

The plan also includes new community compacts and commitments on data centres. It calls for state legislation that gives residents a meaningful say in how projects are built and what benefits they receive. Data centres would be called "AI compute campuses".

According to Implicator.ai, the plan also covers support for workers through economic disruption, wider access to education and training, and US efforts to shape global AI standards based on democratic values. Implicator.ai said the effort is partly aimed at 2028 presidential hopefuls, who will become more vocal from Wednesday, 4 November.

On 9 September, OpenAI said it wants to work with Congress on mandatory, capability-based national AI safety regulation. The bipartisan FRONTIER Act, backed by Representatives Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and Lori Trahan (D-MA), has support from OpenAI and Anthropic. House Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie said he would not want to rush a lame-duck measure. The Record reported that a committee vote may slip to 2027.

Other coverage said the lame-duck session is likely to be dominated by a year-end defence bill, government funding fights and expiring authorisations. No published bill text for the speed-limits proposal has been found. Commentary says the team has reportedly been drafting it since August. The session runs until new members are sworn in on 3 January.

OpenAI is expected to unveil the proposals and launch the campaign when the lame-duck session opens on 9 November.