OpenAI CEO Sam Altman: AI and the US Will Thrive Regardless of Election Outcome
DAVOS, Switzerland — OpenAI founder and CEO Sam Altman expressed confidence that generative artificial intelligence (AI) as a sector and the United States as a country will thrive, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming presidential election.
Altman was asked about Donald Trump’s victory in the Iowa caucus and the impact it may have on the election. He responded by saying, “I believe that America is gonna be fine, no matter what happens in this election. I believe that AI is going to be fine, no matter what happens in this election, and we will have to work very hard to make it so.” Altman made these remarks during a Bloomberg House interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
America’s Future
Donald Trump’s landslide victory in the Iowa Republican caucus set a new record, with a 30-point lead over his closest rival. Altman acknowledged that many people were surprised by Trump’s success and attributed it to a failure to understand what is truly resonating with a significant portion of the American population. He stated, “There has been a real failure to sort of learn lessons about what’s kind of like working for the citizens of America and what’s not.”
Altman believes that one contributing factor to Trump’s rise is the resentment felt by the working class, who believe they have been left behind as technological advancements continue to widen the divide. When asked if AI could further exacerbate this problem, Altman responded affirmatively, stating, “Yes, for sure. This is like bigger than just a technological revolution… And so it is going to become a social issue, a political issue. It already has in some ways.”
OpenAI’s Safeguards for the Future
As elections in over 50 countries approach, OpenAI has implemented new guidelines to prevent the abuse of its generative AI tools, including ChatGPT and DALL·E 3. The company aims to ensure the dissemination of accurate voting information, enforce measured policies, and improve transparency.
Some of the measures introduced include the use of cryptographic watermarks on images generated by DALL·E 3 and a ban on the use of ChatGPT in political campaigns. According to Anna Makanju, vice president of global affairs at OpenAI, the company has been working on these safety systems for a long time and is now able to leverage its own tools to scale enforcement.
Preventing Election Manipulation
The implementation of these safeguards is crucial in preventing the kind of disruption witnessed in past political elections, such as the Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018. Altman emphasized that OpenAI is committed to addressing this issue and ensuring its technology is not used to manipulate elections.
Altman stated, “Our role is very different than the role of a distribution platform like a social media site or news publisher. We have to work with them, so it’s like you generate here and you distribute here. And there needs to be a good conversation between them.”
While Altman acknowledged the need for close monitoring and feedback, he expressed less concern about AI being used to manipulate the election process compared to previous cycles. He emphasized the importance of learning from past experiences and adapting accordingly.
The Impact of Government Regulation
Altman believes that the outcome of the U.S. election will have a significant impact on how AI is regulated in the future. President Joe Biden’s executive order on AI, which focuses on safety, security, privacy protection, and the advancement of equity and civil rights, highlights the government’s role in shaping AI policy.
One major concern among AI ethicists and regulators is the potential for AI to exacerbate societal and economic disparities, as the technology can inherit biases from humans. Addressing these concerns will be crucial in ensuring that AI benefits society as a whole.
Overall, Altman remains optimistic about the future of AI and the United States, emphasizing the need for hard work and responsible implementation to ensure a positive outcome for both.
