OpenAI hires Chuck Schumer’s daughter amid regulatory talks
OpenAI is expanding its policy team, hiring Jessica Schumer-daughter of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and former Amazon policy official-for a key role in government outreach in the Northeast amid ongoing legislative debates over AI regulation. SchumerS background includes roles in the Obama administration and work on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign. This move reflects a broader trend of major tech companies, including meta, increasing political engagement and donations across party lines as concerns about AI regulation and congressional investigations grow. Legislation too ban or regulate advanced AI systems has been introduced, while industry leaders like OpenAI’s Sam Altman are calling for better public understanding of AI benefits. Meanwhile, efforts to restrict data center advancement in various states have faced resistance from the industry. Politically, the focus on AI infrastructure and regulation is intertwined with upcoming elections and shifting party strategies, with some international commentary suggesting competitors like China are pleased with US restrictions. the landscape is marked by political maneuvering, industry influence, and concerns over the future regulation and development of AI technology.
OpenAI is expanding its policy team amid Capitol Hill fights over artificial intelligence industry regulations, reportedly hiring Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) daughter, Jessica Schumer, for a top policy job.
Jessica Schumer, Amazon’s former top public-policy official in New York, is said to be joining OpenAI to handle the company’s government outreach and partnerships in the Northeast, Axios reported, citing a spokesperson for the AI giant.
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The Harvard- and Yale-educated Jessica Schumer brings Democratic ties to OpenAI, which is rapidly expanding its operations in Washington, D.C., as lawmakers wrestle with how to regulate the industry.
Jessica Schumer’s political résumé includes serving in the Obama administration as chief of staff of the Council of Economic Advisers and working as policy director for Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) during former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s unsuccessful 2016 presidential campaign.
Other tech companies have made similar moves as the prospect of a Democratic-controlled House raises the possibility of congressional investigations, subpoenas, and hearings.
Meta, whose CEO Mark Zuckerberg cultivated a closer relationship with Trump following his 2024 election victory, has poured millions into groups aligned with both parties.
The tech giant gave $5 million apiece to Democratic-aligned House Majority Forward and Majority Forward, while handing the same amounts to GOP-aligned American Action Network and One Nation, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
The company previously contributed $10 million to a Trump-aligned political committee.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) recently introduced legislation that would ban the development of artificial superintelligence, warning that advanced AI systems could become capable of operating beyond human control.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has called on AI industry leaders to better explain the technology’s benefits to the public amid rising backlash against the industry and data center construction.
Altman’s comments followed the AI industry’s recent resistance to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s (D-PA) decision to sign an executive order outlining new requirements to restrict data center development in Pennsylvania, which he said are the most stringent in the country. Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) signed a similar order earlier in August.
Trump has placed a steadfast focus on making the United States the global leader in AI. However, voters have steadily voiced concerns about building the data centers needed to power the technology, including that the infrastructure will raise utility prices in the areas where they’re constructed.
“China could not be happier with this anti Data Center movement,” and “can’t believe” that voters have made the topic a top issue ahead of the November midterm elections, Trump has said on Truth Social.
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