OpenAI (Chris Lehane, Sasha Baker) · 2026

OpenAI / Chris Lehane Policy Position

OpenAI advocates for a specific sequencing of governance: federal framework first, state alignment second, federal incentive third. The position endorses mandatory federal testing of frontier systems using classified government capabilities before deployment. CAISI would serve as the primary evaluative institution.

Key Provisions

• Legislation requiring frontier labs to test systems using classified government capabilities
• National safety standards addressing catastrophic risks and child protection
• Targeted preemption contingent on a meaningful federal framework
• CAISI as the primary evaluative institution for pre-deployment testing
• State laws should include mechanisms recognizing federal testing satisfies state requirements
• Global AI Safety Institute network for coordinated evaluation methods

Regulatory Philosophy

Prevention-first with strong federal institutional capacity. OpenAI endorses a meaningful federal testing regime, not merely voluntary commitments, while arguing that only the federal government has the capabilities to implement effective pre-deployment evaluation. This positions them to the left of the White House on federal oversight while supporting preemption of state regulation.

Position on Analytical Frameworks