OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has taken a major step into Washington’s inner circle as he works to influence how AI is developed, deployed, and regulated across the United States.
In contrast to his past criticism of Donald Trump, Altman is now engaging closely with Trump’s allies and has emerged as a key participant in discussions about national AI infrastructure.
Speaking at a Federal Reserve conference, Altman emphasized what he called a “third path” for AI. He shared figures indicating that Americans now send more than 300 million ChatGPT prompts daily, highlighting how quickly AI tools are being adopted by the public.
According to Axios, Altman and Trumo are expected to appear together at a summit this week that will spotlight a massive private sector initiative called Stargate. This project, announced earlier this year, brings together OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank to develop a multi-billion-dollar network of AI-focused data centers across the United States and abroad.
With plans for facilities in Texas and the United Arab Emirates, Stargate is being promoted as a public-private effort to ensure that the country has the technological backbone to support next-generation AI capabilities. Altman’s role in the deal has raised eyebrows, particularly given its potential to receive executive backing from the Trump administration.
The shift in Altman’s political posture also comes with broader implications. Just a few years ago, he made headlines for donating heavily to Democratic candidates and warning that Trump posed a national security risk. Today, he appears to be recalibrating.
Altman’s evolving role has also sparked tension with other tech leaders. Elon Musk, a former collaborator turned critic, has publicly questioned the Stargate project’s legitimacy and financing.
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