OpenAI is seeking to influence the policy debate ahead of the 2028 US presidential election. Its chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane, says artificial intelligence could become a defining political and economic issue.

In a recent essay, Lehane compared AI’s potential economic impact with the changes that led to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal reforms in the 1930s.

He said Americans were increasingly worried about losing control over their economic futures. He urged politicians to develop a “compelling third path” that allows the public to benefit from AI rather than simply oppose the technology.

Lehane outlined five policy priorities. They cover worker protections, education, AI safety, economic opportunities and data centre development.

His proposals follow the US midterm elections, in which Democrats gained control of Congress. Cost-of-living concerns shaped the political debate, while opposition to data centre projects also emerged in several electoral contests.

Critics Question Who Will Benefit From OpenAI’s Proposals

Lehane’s essay has attracted criticism from policy experts. They argue that it places greater emphasis on AI adoption than on addressing job losses, corporate concentration and economic inequality.

Kate Brennan, who leads AI and corporate power policy at the AI Now Institute, questioned Lehane’s comparison with the New Deal.

She argued that Roosevelt’s reforms introduced worker protections and placed limits on corporate power.

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“Invoking a New Deal metaphor is to invoke state capacity to actually benefit the public,” Brennan told TechCrunch. “This is written by a private company that is trying to advocate for policies for its own benefit.”

Lehane proposes tax incentives to encourage workers to develop AI skills. He also supports improving access to capital for entrepreneurs and exploring employee ownership and profit-sharing arrangements.

However, Brennan said these proposals do not guarantee that workers will share in AI-generated wealth. They also lack binding measures requiring companies to cover the costs of job displacement.

She suggested alternative policies, including changes to corporate taxation and incentives for companies that hire human workers. She also called for measures to prevent excessive market concentration.

Data Centres and Jobs Could Become Election Issues

Data centre development is another central part of Lehane’s policy agenda.

He acknowledged public concerns about these facilities but highlighted their potential to create construction jobs and generate local tax revenue.

Lehane also warned that proposals to pause data centre construction could weaken America’s ability to compete with China in AI development. He compared support for such a moratorium with the 2002 congressional vote authorising the Iraq war.

However, data centre projects have faced growing opposition in several communities. Residents have raised concerns about electricity consumption, higher utility bills and the impact on local infrastructure.

These concerns could become more prominent as affordability remains part of the political debate ahead of 2028.

Voters may increasingly question whether AI infrastructure creates enough local economic benefits to justify its costs.

AI Safety, Education and Children’s Protection

Lehane also highlighted child safety and education in his proposed agenda.

He called for age-appropriate safeguards for children, including protections relating to AI companions. He also urged policymakers to consider how schools use the technology.

Lehane argued that excluding AI from classrooms could widen educational inequalities. He warned that wealthy students might gain access to tools unavailable to children in rural communities.

Critics question whether AI’s educational benefits have been sufficiently established. They argue that schools should assess its impact alongside investment in teachers and traditional learning resources.

On AI safety, Lehane called for enforceable standards, independent evaluations and public oversight. He also supported retaining the ability to restrict AI systems or shut them down when necessary.

Brennan questioned the consistency of these positions. She pointed to OpenAI’s opposition to California’s AI safety legislation, SB 1047, in 2024. The company also called for limits on state-level AI regulation in 2025, according to TechCrunch.

OpenAI has since shifted some of its positions. It has supported several state safety laws and expressed openness to independent safety evaluators working within AI companies.

Lehane also argued that people should retain control over important decisions involving AI. He said automated systems should not replace human judgement in consequential matters.

AI Could Become a Major Issue in the 2028 Presidential Race

The debate over AI is increasingly connected to wider concerns about employment, inflation, electricity costs and economic inequality.

Lehane presented AI as a potential source of prosperity and new economic opportunities. However, critics say his proposals provide limited detail on how companies would share those gains or compensate workers affected by automation.

The debate also raises questions about corporate accountability, infrastructure expansion and the role of government in regulating advanced technology.

TechCrunch reported that it contacted OpenAI for further details about Lehane’s proposals and the company’s policy positions. The company had not responded by the time the article was published.

Whether AI becomes a central issue in the 2028 presidential campaign remains uncertain. However, discussions about its economic impact, public safeguards and regulation are already taking shape.