OpenAI unveiled its “economic blueprint” for artificial intelligence, a comprehensive, living document aimed at shaping future U.S. policy to support the rapid evolution of AI technologies. The blueprint outlines policies that OpenAI believes will foster innovation, secure leadership in AI, and ensure the technology’s growth benefits the U.S. economy and national security. This document also serves as a starting point for potential collaborations with the U.S. government and international allies, underscoring the importance of strategic planning in sustaining AI’s competitive edge.
In the blueprint’s introduction, Chris Lehane, OpenAI’s VP of global affairs, emphasizes the urgency for the U.S. to secure significant investments to foster AI development. According to Lehane, the U.S. must attract billions in funding for critical infrastructure, including chips, data, energy, and talent, to maintain its global leadership in AI. The document stresses the need for robust action, noting that while some countries may downplay AI’s economic potential, the U.S. can still pave the way to maintain its innovation-driven leadership while safeguarding national security.
The blueprint comes at a time when the U.S. government has yet to take decisive federal action on AI regulation. Although various state governments have introduced numerous AI-related bills—almost 700 in 2024 alone—there is a lack of federal coordination. OpenAI describes this fragmented approach as untenable, with conflicting state laws complicating the development of AI systems. For example, Texas’ Responsible AI Governance Act imposes strict liability requirements on developers of open-source AI models, creating uncertainty for developers and hindering technological progress.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has long been a vocal critic of existing federal policies, including the CHIPS Act, which was designed to reinvigorate the U.S. semiconductor industry by attracting investment. In a recent Bloomberg interview, Altman pointed out that the CHIPS Act has not met its goals, expressing frustration with bureaucratic obstacles that hinder the country’s ability to build necessary infrastructure for AI leadership. According to Altman, projects like power plants and data centers face excessive regulatory hurdles that impede timely development, highlighting the need for reform to enable rapid progress in AI.
To address these challenges, OpenAI’s blueprint proposes several actionable recommendations. Among the key priorities is the call for a substantial increase in federal investment to support the development of energy infrastructure, specifically targeting renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and nuclear power. These energy sources are vital to meet the growing demands of AI data centers, which are critical for running and advancing AI models. OpenAI has already expressed support for nuclear power projects, recognizing their importance in supporting AI infrastructure while meeting environmental goals.
In the shorter term, OpenAI advocates for the development of industry best practices for model deployment. This includes establishing a framework to protect against misuse, streamlining the AI sector’s engagement with national security agencies, and implementing export controls that allow the sharing of AI models with allied nations while limiting access to adversarial ones. The company also encourages the U.S. government to share national security-related information with AI vendors, ensuring that companies are better equipped to assess risks associated with their models.
Another important aspect of OpenAI’s blueprint is its stance on international collaboration. The company calls for the establishment of standards that are recognized globally, helping the U.S. private sector engage with international bodies. While the company does not advocate for mandatory regulatory measures, it does propose that the U.S. government create voluntary pathways for AI developers to engage in model evaluations and share information to enhance safety and security across the industry. This approach is similar to that of the Biden administration’s AI executive order, which has established the U.S. AI Safety Institute (AISI) to study AI risks and work with companies like OpenAI.
OpenAI also addresses the contentious issue of copyright and AI. The blueprint argues that developers should be allowed to use publicly available information, including copyrighted content, to train AI models. The company has stated that it would be impossible to develop AI models without using copyrighted materials, despite lawsuits filed by creators who claim their works were used without permission. OpenAI asserts that without the ability to learn from universal, publicly available information, the U.S. and other like-minded nations would fall behind as other countries, including China, advance their AI capabilities.
While it remains uncertain which aspects of OpenAI’s economic blueprint will be adopted by lawmakers, the document signals the company’s intention to remain a central figure in shaping U.S. AI policy. The company’s increased lobbying efforts, including a significant increase in expenditures and the hiring of former government officials, further emphasize its commitment to influencing AI legislation. OpenAI has also supported Senate bills aimed at creating a federal AI rule-making body and providing funding for AI research, while opposing certain bills, such as California’s SB 1047, which it claims would stifle innovation.
Ultimately, OpenAI’s economic blueprint provides a roadmap for advancing AI in the U.S., focusing on the integration of technology, policy, and infrastructure. As AI continues to reshape industries and economies, the U.S. government’s role in regulating and fostering innovation will be crucial in determining the country’s leadership in this transformative field.