OpenAI's Chris Lehane calls AI "critical infrastructure" – Axios
Photo illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios. Photo: Andrew Burton for The Washington Post via Getty Images
ChatGPT maker OpenAI wants you to see AI as the next "critical infrastructure" — and veteran political hand Chris Lehane is the firm's new face for this message.
Why it matters: OpenAI aims to showcase how its tech helps "everyday people" and can tackle big challenges in health care, education and climate, Lehane said.
"My historical analogy here is the New Deal," Lehane told Axios. "It built out the bricks and mortar infrastructure that helped set up the U.S. to be the 'arsenal of democracy,' and helped make sure the industrial century translated into meaningful benefits for everyday folks."
Between the lines: Lehane is equating OpenAI's interests with America's — echoing the famous 1953 view of General Motors CEO Charles Wilson that "what was good for our country was good for General Motors, and vice versa."
OpenAI is now "poised to be able to help the public sector design, develop and think about AI as a resource, and then translate it into critical infrastructure, and also for various commercial sectors to think about it that way," Lehane said.
State of play: OpenAI is acknowledging that it needs more senior figures — beyond its high-profile CEO, Sam Altman — to engage with decision-makers and communities around the world.
Catch up quick: Lehane has been consulting for OpenAI for around a year, and was at Altman's side during his ouster from OpenAI in November, helping him engineer his swift return to the role of CEO.
Behind the scenes: Lehane will work closely with OpenAI vice president of global affairs Anna Makanju, who leads OpenAI's efforts to engage policymakers and who guided Altman through his successful first round of Washington, D.C. appearances in 2023.
Reality check: While OpenAI executives were careful to use the phrase "critical infrastructure" rather than "public infrastructure," either way, this way of thinking about the technology is likely to spur greater demands for regulation or government control of its products.
What they're saying: "All of us need to begin to demonstrate how this is going to actually improve people's lives," Lehane said.
OpenAI may be the world's most famous startup, but it still faces the kind of growing pains typical of firms that have struck a popular nerve.
What they're saying: "92% of Fortune 500 companies are using our tools and that's great, but how do we make sure that every NGO or government agency that's serving underserved populations can also provide services using these tools?" Makanju asked.
One fun thing: Lehane has two teenage children, "and they both independently said, 'Those folks are way too smart for you to be working with.'"
This article was autogenerated from a news feed from CDO TIMES selected high quality news and research sources. There was no editorial review conducted beyond that by CDO TIMES staff. Need help with any of the topics in our articles? Schedule your free CDO TIMES Tech Navigator call today to stay ahead of the curve and gain insider advantages to propel your business!
ChatGPT maker OpenAI wants you to see AI as the next "critical infrastructure" — and veteran political hand Chris Lehane is the firm's new face for this message.
Why it matters: OpenAI aims to showcase how its tech helps "everyday people" and can tackle big challenges in health care, education and climate, Lehane said.
"My historical analogy here is the New Deal," Lehane told Axios. "It built out the bricks and mortar infrastructure that helped set up the U.S. to be the 'arsenal of democracy,' and helped make sure the industrial century translated into meaningful benefits for everyday folks."
Between the lines: Lehane is equating OpenAI's interests with America's — echoing the famous 1953 view of General Motors CEO Charles Wilson that "what was good for our country was good for General Motors, and vice versa."
OpenAI is now "poised to be able to help the public sector design, develop and think about AI as a resource, and then translate it into critical infrastructure, and also for various commercial sectors to think about it that way," Lehane said.
State of play: OpenAI is acknowledging that it needs more senior figures — beyond its high-profile CEO, Sam Altman — to engage with decision-makers and communities around the world.
Catch up quick: Lehane has been consulting for OpenAI for around a year, and was at Altman's side during his ouster from OpenAI in November, helping him engineer his swift return to the role of CEO.
Behind the scenes: Lehane will work closely with OpenAI vice president of global affairs Anna Makanju, who leads OpenAI's efforts to engage policymakers and who guided Altman through his successful first round of Washington, D.C. appearances in 2023.
Reality check: While OpenAI executives were careful to use the phrase "critical infrastructure" rather than "public infrastructure," either way, this way of thinking about the technology is likely to spur greater demands for regulation or government control of its products.
What they're saying: "All of us need to begin to demonstrate how this is going to actually improve people's lives," Lehane said.
OpenAI may be the world's most famous startup, but it still faces the kind of growing pains typical of firms that have struck a popular nerve.
What they're saying: "92% of Fortune 500 companies are using our tools and that's great, but how do we make sure that every NGO or government agency that's serving underserved populations can also provide services using these tools?" Makanju asked.
One fun thing: Lehane has two teenage children, "and they both independently said, 'Those folks are way too smart for you to be working with.'"
This article was autogenerated from a news feed from CDO TIMES selected high quality news and research sources. There was no editorial review conducted beyond that by CDO TIMES staff. Need help with any of the topics in our articles? Schedule your free CDO TIMES Tech Navigator call today to stay ahead of the curve and gain insider advantages to propel your business!
