The fixer’s dilemma: Chris Lehane and OpenAI’s impossible mission

Chris Lehane has built a reputation for turning unfavorable news into positive narratives. Known for his roles as Al Gore’s press secretary during the Clinton administration and as Airbnb’s chief crisis manager, Lehane is now tackling a formidable challenge as OpenAI’s Vice President of Global Policy. His mission? To convince the public that OpenAI is committed to democratizing artificial intelligence, even as the company faces criticism for increasingly resembling other tech giants. During a recent appearance at the Elevate conference in Toronto, I had a chance to engage with Lehane. Our conversation aimed to peel back the layers of OpenAI’s carefully crafted image and uncover the contradictions within. Although Lehane is personable and demonstrates a reasonable demeanor, he grapples with the complexities of his role. He openly admits to waking up in the middle of the night, anxious about whether OpenAI's advancements will genuinely benefit society. However, good intentions are overshadowed by troubling actions. OpenAI has faced backlash for issuing subpoenas to critics, and its recent AI tool, Sora, launched with significant controversy. The tool reportedly incorporated copyrighted material, drawing ire from major publishers like The New York Times and the Toronto Star. Despite the legal challenges, the app quickly gained traction, allowing users to generate digital representations of themselves and even deceased celebrities. Lehane justified the launch by describing Sora as a "general purpose technology" akin to electricity, suggesting it democratizes creativity. Yet, the initial opt-out model for copyright holders raised eyebrows about OpenAI's approach to intellectual property, seemingly testing the limits of what it could get away with. As we discussed the financial implications for content creators, Lehane referenced the concept of fair use, which he claims is vital for U.S. tech dominance. However, it raises questions about whether OpenAI is truly fostering an equitable ecosystem for creators. The conversation took an uncomfortable turn when I highlighted personal stories, such as Zelda Williams’ plea against AI-generated videos of her father, Robin Williams. Lehane spoke of responsible design and governance but struggled to address the emotional toll such technology can exert on individuals. OpenAI's infrastructure expansion also raises eyebrows, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas like Abilene, Texas, and Lordstown, Ohio. While Lehane painted an optimistic vision of modernized energy systems and industrial revitalization, he failed to answer whether local communities would bear the financial burden of OpenAI's operations. The conversation took a serious turn when it was revealed that, concurrently with our discussion, OpenAI had issued a subpoena to Nathan Calvin, a lawyer focused on AI policy. This incident has led to accusations of intimidation against critics of the company's regulatory stance. Interestingly, even within OpenAI, there are voices questioning the company's direction. Some employees have voiced concerns about the ethical implications of new tools like Sora. Josh Achiam, OpenAI’s head of mission alignment, expressed fear that the company could become a "frightening power" rather than a virtuous entity. These sentiments reflect a broader conflict within OpenAI, where even its advocates grapple with the disparity between the company’s ideals and its actions. As OpenAI strives toward artificial general intelligence, it raises a crucial question: Can the company maintain its mission to benefit humanity, or will it be consumed by the very challenges it seeks to overcome?