OpenAI's AI Rule Plan: States First, Then Federal

OpenAI has released a policy paper detailing its vision for AI governance, advocating for a federal framework centered on five key priorities. These include fostering transparency, safeguarding innovation, mitigating national security and public safety risks, advancing democratic governance, and establishing "adaptive institutions." This proposal emerges amidst ongoing efforts by the White House to assert government control over AI regulation.

Central to OpenAI's strategy is a concept termed 'reverse federalism.' This model suggests that states should first develop and refine common legal frameworks for AI. Subsequently, these frameworks would be considered for adoption at the national level by Congress. The proposed Center for AI Standards and Innovation would serve as a primary liaison between AI companies and governmental bodies, building on recent agreements where major AI firms engaged with the Commerce Department for national security risk assessments of their models.