OpenAI CEO Sam Altman: No donations planned for this year's US midterm elections, but if competitors spend big to target us, OpenAI will respond.

(1) OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated that he personally does not intend to provide any financial support for this year's U.S. midterm elections, but he understands why other Silicon Valley billionaires are investing significant amounts, as the AI industry is facing increasing opposition. (2) Altman emphasized that OpenAI cannot be held to different standards than its competitors: "If they try to use money to join forces against us, we must also be able to fight back." He also expressed hope that overall regulations could change and remove money from politics. (3) Other AI figures have already taken action: the "Lead the Future" super PAC supported by OpenAI President Greg Brockman has raised large donations, while the competitor Anthropic has contributed 20 million dollars to the "Public First Action" group, which advocates for stricter regulation. Altman's trip also included visits to the White House and Congress, coinciding with OpenAI's preparations for an IPO.