By Taipei, September 25, 2023 – The CEO of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, recently highlighted the significance of responsible regulation in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). In an era marked by rapid advancements in AI technology and increasing global concerns, Sam Altman, the CEO and public face of OpenAI emphasized that while the potential for regulatory missteps exists, regulation itself should not be feared.
Numerous countries around the world are actively contemplating AI regulation, with Britain scheduled to host a global AI safety summit in November. The summit aims to address the evolving risks associated with cutting-edge technology and explore avenues for developing national and international regulatory frameworks.
Speaking during a visit to Taipei, Altman, whose company is backed by tech giant Microsoft, expressed his perspective on the regulatory landscape. He conveyed that while he doesn’t harbor significant concerns about excessive government regulation, it remains a possibility.
Altman added, “I also worry about under-regulation. People in our industry often criticize regulation, but we have been advocating for regulation, particularly for the most powerful AI systems.”
OpenAI has consistently called for a nuanced approach to regulation, focusing on highly advanced AI models that possess extraordinary capabilities. Altman suggested that models far more powerful than GPT-4, ones that approach the intelligence level of human civilization, should be subject to regulation.
In the tech sector, there’s a common sentiment against regulation, often characterized as a “reflexive anti-regulation” stance. Altman countered this perspective by highlighting the positive impact of regulation in various industries. Drawing an analogy to air travel, he noted, “I don’t want to have to make an opinion about every time I step on an airplane how safe it’s going to be, but I trust that they’re pretty safe, and I think regulation has been a positive force in ensuring aviation safety.”
Altman acknowledged that regulatory endeavors could go awry but stressed that the fear of regulation shouldn’t be the prevailing sentiment. Rather, he asserted that some form of regulation is essential for the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies.
Terry Gou, the founder of Foxconn, a major supplier to Apple, and an independent candidate for Taiwan’s presidency was present at the AI event where Altman spoke. Although Gou didn’t address the audience, his presence underscored the significance of AI regulation in the broader context of technology and its societal impact.
As the global community grapples with the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, the stance of industry leaders like Sam Altman and organizations like OpenAI on regulation plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of AI technologies and their integration into our lives.
