Decoded by POLITICO launches a flagship tech-politics newsletter featuring an exclusive interview with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, focusing on AI benefits, liability, and how AI intersects with politics.

Altman shares exclusive insights on AI, politics, and industry direction, warning about AI money influencing midterm elections and the challenges of public perception.

Altman advocates a measured regulatory approach that protects safety while preserving openness and innovation, noting open-source models bring cybersecurity trade-offs.

OpenAI safety leadership changes, discussions of whistleblower protections, and a broader call for regulatory engagement with Congress and the public are highlighted.

On Astra 6.1, Altman says safety and alignment trump broad release, delaying rollout to reduce accident risk and improve alignment before wide distribution.

Altman weighs the AI governance landscape, addresses the Trump-Goldman self-regulation accord, and clarifies OpenAI’s stance on regulation, funding transparency, and broad access versus safety.

Emphasis on strong privacy protections and concerns about constant digital attention, with the goal of technology automating undesirable parts of life to boost creativity and community impact.

Call for international and governmental AI governance involvement, emphasizing unpredictability in Washington and the risk of any single lab or country dominating development.

A future where AI universally empowers people, with OpenAI’s mission to democratize access to powerful AI as a societal good.

Stance on U.S.-China AI competition favors global benefits and cautions against nationalist approaches to leadership, offering a contrast to some industry voices.

Analysis of Gavin Newsom’s veto history to gauge political positioning for a potential presidential bid, with examples spanning data privacy, AI health care rules, and related policy areas.

roundup of related political and legal stories, including ballot-tracker tools, endorsements, editorial board activity, and broader AI regulation debates.