OpenAI’s New Direction

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.

Addressing Concerns

As OpenAI has built increasingly powerful artificial intelligence technologies, it has warned of their potential danger. It is under pressure from lawmakers, regulators, and others globally to ensure that these technologies do not cause serious harm. Some researchers worry that A.I. systems could be used to spread disinformation, fuel cyberattacks, or even destroy humanity.

Mr. Lehane could help navigate this increasingly complex social and political landscape. Through a spokeswoman, he declined to comment.

Funding and Future Plans

A spokeswoman for OpenAI, Liz Bourgeois, stated, “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, according to three people familiar with discussions. The deal would be led by the investment firm Thrive Capital, which would invest more than $1 billion.

Conclusion

As OpenAI continues to evolve, the changes in its corporate structure and leadership may play a crucial role in its future success. What do you think about these developments? Will they help OpenAI achieve its goals?