AI's Image Crisis: Companies Fund Think Tanks to Shift Public Opinion

Major AI companies are funding policy papers and think tanks to improve their public image. This comes as polls show growing public disapproval of artificial intelligence. OpenAI made a surprising announcement this week. It was not a new product, but a policy paper calling for a new social contract with "people-first ideas." The 13-page document is titled "Industrial Policy for the Intelligence Age." It is part of a larger effort by OpenAI to reshape the narrative around AI. This follows the company's recent purchase of a tech-friendly podcast. OpenAI also plans to open a Washington DC office. It will include a dedicated workshop for policymakers and non-profits to learn about its technology. The aggressive strategy highlights the industry's attempt to address its worsening public perception.