OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is visiting Washington, D. C. this week to promote wider adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, aiming to ensure its economic benefits are broadly shared rather than concentrated among a few individuals or corporations. This visit underscores AI's increasing influence on federal economic and social policy. Altman will speak at a major Federal Reserve conference alongside Vice Chair Michelle Bowman, presenting his vision for AI’s economic role centered on a "third path" approach—a balanced view combining optimism about AI’s transformative potential with caution toward its challenges. He stresses that AI should empower people by increasing productivity and creating more economic opportunities. A key goal of Altman’s visit is to address fears about AI-driven job losses and inequality by sharing compelling data on AI’s widespread use. For example, ChatGPT users worldwide generate over 2. 5 billion prompts daily, with about 330 million originating in the U. S. , highlighting AI’s deep integration across sectors and daily life.

Altman’s efforts coincide with "AI Week" in D. C. , featuring events like a high-profile summit with former President Donald Trump and other influential figures, signaling heightened policy and industry focus on AI’s future. Altman’s message aligns with other tech leaders like Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who emphasizes AI’s role in amplifying human capabilities rather than replacing workers—a shared belief that AI’s greatest promise lies in augmenting human intelligence and creativity. Altman envisions AI as a tool for a more inclusive economic future, where AI-powered intelligence becomes so abundant and affordable it is “too cheap to meter, ” providing nearly unlimited access that fuels innovation, efficiency, and participation. His advocacy marks a notable shift in AI policy discussions, moving beyond focusing solely on risks to exploring how governments, businesses, and communities can responsibly harness AI’s benefits to promote equity and shared prosperity. Altman calls on policymakers to engage constructively, developing frameworks that support innovation and economic inclusion. This push to integrate AI thoughtfully into economic policymaking is critical as rapid AI advancements will deeply impact labor markets, regulation, and global competitiveness. Altman’s participation in the Federal Reserve conference and events during AI Week emphasize that AI is now a core concern for economic strategists and public officials, not just technologists. In sum, Sam Altman’s D. C. visit and high-profile appearances demonstrate his commitment to an optimistic yet prudent AI vision that empowers individuals and expands economic opportunity. He seeks to help shape a future where AI’s benefits are widely shared, fostering a more productive, inclusive, and prosperous society.