AI safety groups aren't buying OpenAI's spending retreat - Politico

AI safety groups say they are not convinced by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's shifting stance on midterm political spending, according to an article published by Politico on October 5, 2026, under the headline 'AI safety groups aren't buying OpenAI's spending retreat.' The article describes a spending retreat by OpenAI and reports that the safety groups are not persuaded by it. It states that the groups are pushing for stronger commitments to downsize the flow of money from industry-aligned organizations. The article identifies the OpenAI-aligned super PAC Leading the Future as one of those organizations.

The article cites Democratic New York assemblymember Alex Bores, who said he will not believe the groups are changing strategy 'unless and until they do.' According to the article, Leading the Future and other groups spent $8 million to tank his House campaign. The article places Bores's comment after that spending. It describes Bores as a Democratic assemblymember from New York whose House campaign the spending targeted.

Politico frames the safety groups' reaction as a refusal to accept the change in spending posture described in the headline. The article reports that the groups are seeking stronger commitments to reduce money from industry-aligned groups, and that they remain unconvinced. It does not report any specific commitment by Altman, by OpenAI, or by Leading the Future to reduce such spending. The article is dated October 5, 2026, and concerns midterm political spending.