OpenAI is expanding its policy team amid Capitol Hill fights over artificial intelligence industry regulations, reportedly hiring Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) daughter, Jessica Schumer, for a top policy job.
Jessica Schumer, Amazon’s former top public-policy official in New York, is said to be joining OpenAI to handle the company’s government outreach and partnerships in the Northeast, Axios reported, citing a spokesperson for the AI giant.
The Harvard- and Yale-educated Jessica Schumer brings Democratic ties to OpenAI, which is rapidly expanding its operations in Washington, D.C., as lawmakers wrestle with how to regulate the industry.
Jessica Schumer’s political résumé includes serving in the Obama administration as chief of staff of the Council of Economic Advisers and working as policy director for Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) during former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s unsuccessful 2016 presidential campaign.
Other tech companies have made similar moves as the prospect of a Democratic-controlled House raises the possibility of congressional investigations, subpoenas, and hearings.
Meta, whose CEO Mark Zuckerberg cultivated a closer relationship with Trump following his 2024 election victory, has poured millions into groups aligned with both parties.
The tech giant gave $5 million apiece to Democratic-aligned House Majority Forward and Majority Forward, while handing the same amounts to GOP-aligned American Action Network and One Nation, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
The company previously contributed $10 million to a Trump-aligned political committee.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) recently introduced legislation that would ban the development of artificial superintelligence, warning that advanced AI systems could become capable of operating beyond human control.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has called on AI industry leaders to better explain the technology’s benefits to the public amid rising backlash against the industry and data center construction.
Altman’s comments followed the AI industry’s recent resistance to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s (D-PA) decision to sign an executive order outlining new requirements to restrict data center development in Pennsylvania, which he said are the most stringent in the country. Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) signed a similar order earlier in August.
Trump has placed a steadfast focus on making the United States the global leader in AI. However, voters have steadily voiced concerns about building the data centers needed to power the technology, including that the infrastructure will raise utility prices in the areas where they’re constructed.
“China could not be happier with this anti Data Center movement,” and “can’t believe” that voters have made the topic a top issue ahead of the November midterm elections, Trump has said on Truth Social.
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The socialist surge has sparked an anti-establishment campaign and a warning for Senate minority leader, with the left wing looking to expand on its wins as he faces another leadership race and a possible reelection campaign in 2028.
Chuck Schumer has dodged questions about the triumphs of the socialist candidates and what they suggest for him and the Democratic Party as they approach the midterm elections.