OpenAI Avoids Political Donations, Citing Need for Bipartisan AI Policy

Rival Anthropic Donates $20 Million to Super PAC Advocating for AI Regulation

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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OpenAI, the prominent AI company, has decided not to make political donations to super PACs or other groups, in contrast to its rival Anthropic which recently donated $20 million to a bipartisan super PAC advocating for AI regulation. OpenAI's chief global affairs officer Chris Lehane said the company wants to keep its political spending under its own control and avoid partisan politics, believing the issue of AI regulation should transcend party lines.

Why it matters

As AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic grow in influence and prepare for potential IPOs, their political spending and stances on regulation have become increasingly important. This divergence in approach highlights the ongoing debate over how AI should be governed, with Anthropic taking a more proactive regulatory stance compared to OpenAI's desire to avoid partisan politics.

The details

OpenAI has decided not to contribute to political action committees or 501(c)(4) social-welfare nonprofits, even as its rival Anthropic donated $20 million to a bipartisan super PAC that is campaigning for more AI regulation. OpenAI's chief global affairs officer Chris Lehane said the company wants to retain control over its political spending and ensure the issue of AI regulation remains nonpartisan. However, some of OpenAI's top executives and investors have made significant donations to pro-AI groups and candidates, including a $25 million donation from President and co-founder Greg Brockman and his wife to a super PAC supporting former President Donald Trump.

  • On February 13, 2026, Anthropic announced it is donating $20 million to a political group campaigning for more AI regulation.
  • On February 14, 2026, OpenAI's chief global affairs officer Chris Lehane told employees the company will not be making similar political donations.

The players

OpenAI

An artificial intelligence company that has decided not to make political donations, in contrast to its rival Anthropic.

Anthropic

An AI company that announced a $20 million donation to a political group advocating for more AI regulation.

Chris Lehane

The chief global affairs officer at OpenAI who told employees the company will not be making political donations.

Greg Brockman

The president and co-founder of OpenAI who, along with his wife, donated $25 million to a super PAC supporting former President Donald Trump.

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What they’re saying

“Anthropic is running a sophisticated regulatory capture strategy based on fear-mongering.”

— David Sacks, White House AI Czar (X)

What’s next

Congress is expected to continue working on crafting new regulations for the AI industry in the coming months, as the midterm elections approach and voters express growing concerns about the consequences of AI development.

The takeaway

The divergent approaches of OpenAI and Anthropic to political spending highlight the ongoing debate over how AI should be governed, with Anthropic taking a more proactive stance on regulation and OpenAI seeking to keep the issue nonpartisan. This reflects the high stakes as these AI companies grow in influence and prepare for potential IPOs.