Can OpenAI’s ‘Master of Disaster’ Fix AI’s Reputation Crisis?
OpenAI's global affairs chief, Chris Lehane, is tasked with addressing the growing public relations crisis surrounding artificial intelligence. He aims to promote a balanced narrative about AI while advocating for regulations that support the company's growth. Lehane emphasizes the need for OpenAI to propose real solutions to societal concerns related to AI technology.
- ▪Chris Lehane is OpenAI's chief of global affairs and a veteran political operative.
- ▪Public skepticism towards AI is increasing, leading to backlash against optimistic views of the technology.
- ▪Lehane aims to convey a more calibrated message about AI's promises and challenges.
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Maxwell ZeffBusinessMay 21, 2026 8:04 PMCan OpenAI’s ‘Master of Disaster’ Fix AI’s Reputation Crisis?Global affairs chief Chris Lehane wants to tone down the debate over AI’s societal impacts—and get states to pass laws that won’t derail OpenAI’s meteoric rise.Photo-Illustration: WIRED Staff; Getty ImagesCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyThree months ago, OpenAI cofounder Greg Brockman told me his concerns about a mounting public relations crisis facing artificial intelligence companies: Despite the popularity of tools like ChatGPT, an increasingly large share of the population said they viewed AI negatively. Since then, the backlash has only intensified.College commencement speakers are now getting booed for talking about AI in optimistic terms.
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