OpenAI announced this week that two former activists known as the “Gravel Teens” – Henry Williams and David Oks – have been hired to work on its Strategic Futures team. The hires were made by Dean W. Ball, a former AI policy adviser to President Donald Trump and longtime figure in the conservative think‑tank community.
From left‑wing campaign stunt to AI policy unit
Williams and Oks first entered the public eye in 2019 when they used the retired Alaska senator Mike Gravel’s Twitter account to launch a satirical left‑leaning presidential campaign. Their stunt, which mocked centrist Democrats and amplified progressive talking points, went viral and later led to the creation of the Gravel Institute, a nonprofit that produced progressive policy videos before shutting down in 2022.
After the institute’s closure, both men pursued careers in finance, journalism and technology. Williams earned a degree from Columbia University and worked at the Bank for International Settlements and a San Francisco AI startup. Oks studied at Oxford, worked for a hedge fund and later wrote for a San Francisco‑based outlet.
OpenAI’s Strategic Futures team
OpenAI’s Strategic Futures group is tasked with examining the long‑range political‑economic and theoretical implications of super‑intelligent AI systems. In a statement, Ball said the team will “think about the long‑range political economy and political theory outcomes from technologies like super intelligence and highly capable AI systems.” He added that Williams and Oks were hired for their “analytical acumen” and “dedication” to the mission.
Ball emphasized that hiring decisions are based on talent, not political affiliation: “I hire smart people, that’s what it comes down to. I don’t care about their politics.” The move reflects OpenAI’s broader strategy of bringing diverse perspectives—including philosophers, ethicists and writers—into its policy‑shaping efforts.
Implications for AI governance
The appointment of former left‑wing activists by a former Trump adviser underscores the growing recognition that AI governance will require input from across the ideological spectrum. OpenAI’s co‑founder Sam Altman has warned that many jobs, such as customer‑service roles, could disappear as AI advances, making proactive policy work essential.
While the hires have drawn attention from both progressive and conservative observers, the focus remains on how the Strategic Futures team will influence OpenAI’s approach to mitigating the risks of misaligned superintelligence and ensuring that transformative AI benefits all of humanity.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
