OpenAI Appoints Political Veteran Chris Lehane as Head of Global Policy
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OpenAI names political veteran Lehane as head of global policy: Report
ChatGPT-maker OpenAI has named political veteran Chris Lehane as its vice president of global policy, the New York Times reported on Friday. Lehane, who is a member of the executive team at OpenAI, was a former policy chief for Airbnb and a member of the Clinton White House. OpenAI to launch new AI product called 'Strawberry' in fall OpenAI did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The appointment comes as Apple and chip giant Nvidia are reportedly in talks to invest in OpenAI as part of a new fundraising round that could value the Microsoft -backed startup above $100 billion. Earlier in the day, the Financial Times reported that OpenAI is weighing changes to its corporate structure to become more investor-friendly. Read Comments
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OpenAI names political veteran Chris Lehane as head of global policy
As OpenAI has built increasingly powerful artificial intelligence technologies, it has warned of their potential danger, and it is under pressure from lawmakers, regulators and others across the globe to ensure that these technologies do not cause serious harm. Some researchers worry that the AI systems could be used to spread disinformation, fuel cyberattacks or even destroy humanity.Amid a flurry of news around its funding plans, OpenAI has tapped political veteran Chris Lehane as its vice president of global policy. Lehane held a similar role at Airbnb and served in the Clinton White House as a lawyer and spokesperson who specialized in opposition research. He earned a reputation as "the master of disaster" during his time working for President Bill Clinton. As OpenAI has built increasingly powerful artificial intelligence technologies, it has warned of their potential danger, and it is under pressure from lawmakers, regulators and others across the globe to ensure that these technologies do not cause serious harm. Some researchers worry that the AI systems could be used to spread disinformation, fuel cyberattacks or even destroy humanity. Lehane could help navigate an increasingly complex social and political landscape. Through a spokeswoman, he declined to comment. A spokesperson for OpenAI, Liz Bourgeois, said, "Just as the company is making changes in other areas of the business to scale the impact of various teams as we enter this next chapter, we recently made changes to our global affairs organization." OpenAI is negotiating a new funding deal that would value the company at more than $100 billion, three people familiar with discussions have said. The deal would be led by investment firm Thrive Capital, which would invest more than $1 billion. The deal could also include investments from Apple, Microsoft and Nvidia, whose specialized computer chips are important to the development of AI. As part of these negotiations, OpenAI is also considering changing its corporate structure so that it is more appealing to investors, according to three other people familiar with the discussions. OpenAI began in 2015 as a nonprofit. Right now, its board retains control of the organization, with no official input from investors. In November, the board ousted OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and investors had no official way to pressure the company. Altman was reinstated five days later after Microsoft, one of OpenAI's investors, offered to hire its entire staff. (The New York Times has sued OpenAI and Microsoft, claiming copyright infringement of content related to AI systems.) In the nine months since, OpenAI has expanded its board and hired several veteran Silicon Valley executives. After stints at Airbnb and Haun Ventures, a venture capital firm, Lehane had been consulting with OpenAI since last year and supported Altman as the CEO fought his way back into OpenAI in November. The company officially hired Lehane this year as its vice president of public works. In that role, he worked alongside OpenAI's vice president of global affairs, Anna Makanju, a three-year veteran of the company who helped organize a world tour for Altman last year in which he met with many heads of state. Makanju has moved to a new role as vice president of global impact, leading efforts to ensure that the company's AI technologies are widely available to all kinds of people worldwide. She will continue to work with Lehane on policy and remain a key company liaison to government and partner organizations worldwide.
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OpenAI Names Political Veteran Chris Lehane as Head of Global Policy
Amid a flurry of news around its funding plans, OpenAI has tapped the political veteran Chris Lehane as its vice president of global policy. Mr. Lehane held a similar role at Airbnb and served in the Clinton White House as a lawyer and spokesman who specialized in opposition research. He earned a reputation as "the master of disaster" during his time working for President Bill Clinton. As OpenAI has built increasingly powerful artificial intelligence technologies, it has warned of their potential danger, and it is under pressure from lawmakers, regulators and others across to the globe to ensure that these technologies do not cause serious harm. Some researchers worry that the A.I. systems could be used to spread disinformation, fuel cyberattacks or even destroy humanity. Mr. Lehane could help navigate an increasingly complex social and political landscape. Through a spokeswoman, he declined to comment. A spokeswoman for OpenAI, Liz Bourgeois, said, "Just as the company is making changes in other areas of the business to scale the impact of various teams as we enter this next chapter, we recently made changes to our global affairs organization." OpenAI is negotiating a new funding deal that would value the company at more than $100 billion, three people familiar with discussions have said. The deal would be led by the investment firm Thrive Capital, which would invest more than $1 billion.
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OpenAI names political veteran Chris Lehane as head of global policy
As OpenAI has built increasingly powerful artificial intelligence technologies, it has warned of their potential danger, and it is under pressure from lawmakers, regulators and others across the globe to ensure that these technologies do not cause serious harm. Some researchers worry that the AI systems could be used to spread disinformation, fuel cyberattacks or even destroy humanity.
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OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company behind ChatGPT, has named Chris Lehane, a seasoned political strategist, as its new head of global policy. This move comes as AI companies face increasing regulatory scrutiny worldwide.
OpenAI's Strategic Move in Policy Leadership
OpenAI, the company behind the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT, has made a significant addition to its leadership team. Chris Lehane, a veteran political strategist, has been appointed as the new head of global policy for the artificial intelligence powerhouse
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. This strategic move comes at a time when AI companies are facing increasing regulatory scrutiny and public attention worldwide.Chris Lehane's Background and Experience
Lehane brings a wealth of experience to his new role at OpenAI. He previously served as a senior adviser to former U.S. President Bill Clinton and was known as the "master of disaster" for his crisis management skills
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. More recently, Lehane held the position of senior vice president of policy and communications at Airbnb, where he navigated complex regulatory landscapes for the home-sharing platform.The Timing and Significance of the Appointment
The appointment of Lehane comes at a crucial time for OpenAI and the broader AI industry. As artificial intelligence technologies continue to advance rapidly, governments and regulatory bodies worldwide are grappling with how to oversee and manage their development and deployment
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. Lehane's extensive experience in navigating political and regulatory challenges is expected to be invaluable as OpenAI seeks to shape policies and build trust with governments and the public.Related Stories
OpenAI's Growing Influence and Challenges
OpenAI has been at the forefront of AI development, with its ChatGPT model gaining widespread attention and usage. However, this success has also brought increased scrutiny and concerns about the potential impacts of AI on society, including issues related to privacy, misinformation, and job displacement
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. Lehane's role will be crucial in addressing these concerns and working with policymakers to develop responsible AI governance frameworks.The Road Ahead for AI Policy
As OpenAI's new head of global policy, Lehane will likely focus on engaging with governments, international organizations, and other stakeholders to shape the future of AI regulation. His appointment signals OpenAI's commitment to proactively addressing policy challenges and potentially influencing the regulatory landscape in a way that balances innovation with responsible development and deployment of AI technologies.
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