[OpenAI] Industrial policy for the Intelligence Age
The company is launching a DC workshop and offering major funding to develop 'people-first' AI governance.
OpenAI has entered the policy arena with a significant new framework, 'Industrial Policy for the Intelligence Age.' The company argues that incremental policy updates will be insufficient as AI progresses toward superintelligence. Instead, it proposes a slate of ambitious, exploratory ideas focused on expanding opportunity, sharing prosperity, and building resilient institutions to ensure advanced AI benefits everyone. The document is explicitly offered as a starting point for democratic debate, inviting others to build on, refine, or challenge its proposals.
To catalyze this discussion, OpenAI is committing tangible resources. It has established a dedicated email (newindustrialpolicy@openai.com) for gathering feedback and is launching a pilot fellowship and research grant program. This program will offer direct funding of up to $100,000 and substantial in-kind support of up to $1 million in API credits for work that builds on these policy ideas. Furthermore, the company is opening a physical 'OpenAI Workshop' in Washington, DC in May 2026 to convene stakeholders and sustain momentum on these critical governance conversations.
- Proposes a foundational policy framework for managing the economic transition to superintelligence, focusing on opportunity and shared prosperity.
- Backs ideas with a pilot grant program offering up to $100,000 in funding and $1M in API credits for related research.
- Establishing a physical presence in DC with a new workshop opening in May 2026 to host policy discussions.
Why It Matters
This marks a major tech firm directly shaping the pre-AGI policy debate with funding and a DC foothold, setting the stage for future regulation.