Anthropic and OpenAI have hired at least five former Trump administration officials to senior roles as the AI industry seeks to strengthen its political ties. The moves come amid growing calls for AI regulation and increasing scrutiny from Washington.
TL;DR
- Anthropic and OpenAI have hired at least five former Trump officials to senior roles.
- The hires are part of a broader effort by AI companies to strengthen ties with Washington amid growing regulation concerns.
- Anthropic has appointed two former Trump officials, while OpenAI has hired three.
What happened
Anthropic has appointed at least two former Trump officials to senior roles. Sihao Huang, formerly a senior policy advisor for AI and emerging technology at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), joined Anthropic in September as head of frontier compute strategy. Chris Liddell, who served as deputy White House chief of staff during Trump's first term, was appointed to Anthropic's board of directors in February.
OpenAI has hired at least three former Trump officials. Thomas Lind, who led AI policy at the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD), joined OpenAI to lead cyber and strategic risk on its national security policy team. Dean Ball, a senior policy advisor at OSTP in 2025, joined OpenAI in July as head of strategic futures. Peter Bowman-Davis, formerly Chief AI officer at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, joined OpenAI in March to work on model training and hardware engineering.
Why it matters
The hires reflect the growing importance of Washington in the AI industry. Frontier AI companies are aware of the Trump administration's influence over their business, from federal procurement and supply-chain designations to export controls. Building strong relationships with the administration can help these companies navigate regulatory challenges and secure favorable policies.
The moves also highlight the increasing national security implications of AI. As AI becomes more central to the national security agenda, companies are seeking to hire experts who can help them navigate the complex regulatory landscape and shape AI policy.
Key facts
- Anthropic has appointed at least two former Trump officials to senior roles.
- OpenAI has hired at least three former Trump officials.
- Sihao Huang joined Anthropic in September as head of frontier compute strategy.
- Chris Liddell was appointed to Anthropic's board of directors in February.
- Thomas Lind joined OpenAI to lead cyber and strategic risk on its national security policy team.
- Dean Ball joined OpenAI in July as head of strategic futures.
- Peter Bowman-Davis joined OpenAI in March to work on model training and hardware engineering.
- The hires are part of a broader effort by AI companies to strengthen ties with Washington amid growing regulation concerns.
Context
The AI industry is facing increasing scrutiny from Washington amid growing concerns about the national security implications of AI. The Trump administration has been particularly active in shaping AI policy, with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) playing a key role in coordinating national security, science policy, and semiconductor issues.
AI companies are also racing to build relationships with the Trump administration amid growing calls for regulation. The administration has been willing to use its influence over the industry, from federal procurement and supply-chain designations to export controls. Building strong relationships with the administration can help these companies navigate regulatory challenges and secure favorable policies.
