Clearly, the big bosses of American Tech are getting more and more involved in politics. While Elon Musk will co-direct the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) launched by Donald Trump, it is the turn of Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI and father of ChatGPT, to join the dance. The latter will in fact co-chair the transition team of the new Democratic mayor of San Francisco, Daniel Lurie.
A local commitment
Quoted by Business Insiderthe leader shared a fairly discreet message about his future position: “I’m excited to help the city I love, and where OpenAI was founded, as it begins its next chapter with Mayor-elect Lurie assuming his new role.”.
Following this announcement, Daniel Lurie explained that he intended to rely on his new team to respond to the various challenges of the birthplace of Silicon Valley. He notably cited public safety and drug addiction, or even the housing crisis.
These themes were widely cited during the election campaign. Far from being on the left of the Democratic Party, the new mayor is rather considered to come from the more moderate wing, even if he has also been involved for a long time in the fight against poverty.
He is also the champion of the big Tech bosses who gave him their support. Our colleagues mention in particular the co-founder of WhatsApp, Jan Koum, who gave him a very generous six-figure donation.
Sam Altman, noted support of the Democratic Party
Daniel Lurie promised that he would do everything to keep the city an important place for the AI sector. Asked by The Informationhe also sent compliments to the co-founder of OpenAI: “Sam Altman is one of the most important people on the planet right now. We must accept it. We must take advantage of its influence in San Francisco. »
It remains to be seen whether Sam Altman will have a specific role within the new municipality. The fact that he is in this transition team represents in any case a concrete and major commitment on the part of the manager. Note also that the latter made donations of several thousand dollars in favor of Democratic candidates during the last elections.
Finally, let us point out that his company is in conflict with Elon Musk, now an active supporter of the Republican Party, who left the organization after having supported it during its beginnings. To get to know this entrepreneur better, we invite you to reread our article dedicated to Sam Altman’s career advice to young people.
