Sam Altman, the Chief Executive Officer of OpenAI, the renowned developer of advanced chatbot ChatGPT, has made a plea to US lawmakers to enforce regulations on artificial intelligence (AI). Altman testified before a US Senate committee on Tuesday, shedding light on both the potentials and risks associated with this swiftly advancing field.
The market has witnessed the rapid emergence of several AI models within a very short timeframe. Altman stressed the importance of establishing a new regulatory agency responsible for licensing AI companies.
While AI-powered chatbots such as ChatGPT excel at generating impressively human-like responses, they also have the potential to exhibit significant inaccuracies.
At 38 years old, Altman has become a prominent advocate for the burgeoning AI industry, openly addressing the ethical concerns tied to AI and advocating for increased regulation. He acknowledged the enormous possibilities AI presents, comparing its impact to that of the printing press, while also acknowledging the potential risks it poses.
Altman expressed concerns that if this technology goes astray, the consequences can be substantial. He added that they aim to raise awareness about this and collaborate with the government to prevent it.
He also recognized the potential economic implications of AI, including the displacement of jobs and subsequent layoffs.
Altman emphasized the necessity of finding strategies to mitigate the impact on employment, expressing optimism about the nature of future job opportunities.
Some senators highlighted the need for new legislation to facilitate legal action against OpenAI.
Altman voiced concerns about the potential impact of AI on democracy, particularly the dissemination of targeted misinformation during elections, an area of utmost concern for him.
“With an upcoming election next year and the continued advancement of these models, this ranks among my greatest concerns,” Altman stated.
Altman proposed various measures for an AI regulatory agency in the US, including the implementation of licensing and testing requirements for AI companies.
He emphasized the importance of regulating the development and release of AI models that surpass a specific threshold of capabilities. Additionally, he suggested that companies like OpenAI should undergo independent audits.
Republican Senator Josh Hawley acknowledged the transformative potential of the technology but drew a parallel to the invention of the atomic bomb, and wondered whether a similar regulation model as is The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should be adopted.
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal emphasized the significance of maximizing the benefits of AI while minimizing potential harm, urging Congress to learn from past experiences with the largely unsuccessful social media regulation.
The testimony revealed bipartisan support for the establishment of a regulatory body to oversee the AI industry.
However, legislators also raised concerns about the agency’s ability to keep pace with the rapidly evolving technology.
