OpenAI's Altman to urge US lawmakers not to require AI model approvals

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman will urge U.S. He will also ask Congress to increase funding for AI testing at the U.S. Department of Commerce. The testimony is part of ongoing legislative efforts to craft a federal AI regulatory framework.

Altman argues that such approvals would hinder innovation and that government resources would be better spent on post-deployment testing and evaluation at the Commerce Department.

The Commerce Department funding request is separate from the approval debate. Altman's dual position — opposing restrictions while calling for more government testing — reflects a common industry stance that seeks to shape regulation toward voluntary oversight rather than binding guardrails. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed interest in addressing AI risks, but remain divided on the stringency of rules.