Sam Altman welcomes federal framework, says no need to wait for antitrust exemption or law to pace AI development
| Source: Techmeme | Original article
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says the company supports a federal AI framework but believes it should not wait for antitrust exemptions or new legislation to ensure responsible development.
OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has signalled that the company is ready to work within a U.S. regulatory framework for artificial intelligence, but it will not wait for an antitrust exemption or specific legislation before taking steps to assure responsible development. In a series of posts on X, Altman said the “world deserves confidence that American companies developing increasingly capable AI will act responsibly,” and added that “consistent rules to manage frontier risk … are a good idea” and that OpenAI is “excited by ideas like independent auditors.”
The remarks arrive amid a broader push for clearer AI governance in Washington and abroad. Earlier this week, Microsoft’s Satya Nadella announced a code of conduct for its own models, while Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for a consensus‑based global AI framework. In the United States, lawmakers have been debating antitrust and safety measures since Altman testified before the Senate’s Commerce Committee in 2025.
Altman’s comments also follow OpenAI’s decision, reported on 14 September, to postpone an IPO in 2026 because of safety concerns. By emphasizing voluntary action over waiting for formal exemptions, he is positioning OpenAI as a proactive player in the emerging regulatory landscape.
Stakeholders will now watch for concrete proposals from the administration, such as the independent auditor model Altman mentioned, and for any legislative moves that could formalise antitrust or safety requirements. How quickly Congress and the Federal Trade Commission respond could shape the pace at which frontier AI models are deployed in the United States.
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