Humans to maintain control over AI, says OpenAI executive

OpenAI’s chief strategy officer, Jason Kwon, has expressed confidence that humans will continue to control AI, downplaying concerns about the technology developing unchecked. Speaking at an forum in Seoul, Kwon emphasised that the core of safety lies in ensuring human oversight. As those systems grow more advanced, Kwon believes they will become easier to manage, countering fears of them becoming uncontrollable.

The company is actively working on creating a framework that allows AI systems to reflect the cultural values of different countries. Kwon highlighted the importance of making certain models adaptable to local contexts, ensuring that users in various regions feel the technology is designed with them in mind. However, approach like this one aims to foster a sense of ownership and relevance across diverse cultures.

Despite some scepticism surrounding the future of AI, Kwon remains optimistic about its trajectory. He compared it’s potential growth to that of the internet, which has become an indispensable tool globally. While acknowledging that AI is still in its early stages, he pointed out that adoption rates are gradually increasing, with significant room for growth.

Kwon noted that in South Korea, a country with over 50 million people, only 1 million are daily active users of ChatGPT. Even in the US, fewer than 20 per cent of the population has tried the tool. Kwon’s remarks suggest that AI’s journey is just beginning, with significant expansion expected in the coming years.