How Sam Altman stormed Washington to set the AI agenda

Weeks after OpenAI released its ChatGPT chatbot last year, Sam Altman, the CEO of the artificial intelligence startup, launched a lobbying blitz in Washington.

He demonstrated ChatGPT at a breakfast with more than 20 lawmakers in the Capitol. He called for AI to be regulated in private meetings with Republican and Democratic congressional leaders. In all, Altman has discussed the rapidly evolving technology with at least 100 members of Congress, as well as with Vice President Kamala Harris and Cabinet members at the White House, according to lawmakers and the Biden administration.

“It’s so refreshing,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who is also the chair of a panel that held an AI hearing last month featuring Altman. “He was willing, able and eager.”