The viral leftist teens of Campaign 2020 work for OpenAI now (www.cnn.com)

Henry Williams and David Oks, previously known for their leftist campaigning alongside the late Senator Mike Gravel, have joined OpenAI's Strategic Futures team to address the societal impacts of transformative AI. Their transition from advocating for progressive policies to collaborating with a major AI company highlights a notable shift in their focus and reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies increasingly seek diverse expertise beyond technical skills, including writers, ethicists, and policy analysts. With a collective valuation of over $850 billion, OpenAI aims to explore the long-term implications of advanced AI technologies on the political economy, suggesting a proactive approach to mitigating risks associated with superintelligence. This development is significant for the AI/ML community as it embodies the converging interests of technology and policy, aiming to shape AI narrative around its benefits rather than solely its threats. Dean Ball, the team's lead, emphasizes the need to understand AI's political implications, distancing from partisan politics in favor of a more inclusive dialogue on technology's future. Williams and Oks express optimism about AI's potential, advocating for its role as an empowering force rather than a disruptive one, marking a shift in narrative that aligns with emerging perspectives within the industry about AI's integration into society.