OpenAI CEO emphasises democratic control in the future of AI

Altman also advocates for international collaboration and possibly establishing governance bodies to ensure AI benefits are widely shared and risks minimised.
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Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, raises a critical question: ‘Who will control the future of AI?’. He frames it as a choice between a democratic vision, led by the US and its allies to disseminate AI benefits widely, and an authoritarian one, led by nations like Russia and China, aiming to consolidate power through AI. Altman underscores the urgency of this decision, given the rapid advancements in AI technology and the high stakes involved.

Altman warns that while the United States currently leads in AI development, this advantage is precarious due to substantial investments by authoritarian governments. He highlights the risks if these regimes take the lead, such as restricted AI benefits, enhanced surveillance, and advanced cyber weapons. To prevent this, Altman proposes a four-pronged strategy – robust security measures to protect intellectual property, significant investments in physical and human infrastructure, a coherent commercial diplomacy policy, and establishing international norms and safety protocols.

He emphasises proactive collaboration between the US government and the private sector to implement these measures swiftly. Altman believes that proactive efforts today in security, infrastructure, talent development, and global governance can secure a competitive advantage and broad societal benefits. Ultimately, Altman advocates for a democratic vision for AI, underpinned by strategic, timely, and globally inclusive actions to maximise the technology’s benefits while minimising risks.