Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, creator of ChatGPT, has warned that AI poses an “existential threat” to humanity.
Altman is visiting the United Arab Emirates as part of a global tour to discuss artificial intelligence.
“The challenge the world faces today is how do we manage those risks and make sure we continue to enjoy these enormous benefits,” Altman, 38, said. “Nobody wants to destroy the world.”
Sam Altman, CEO, OpenAI
Developed by OpenAI, ChatGPT caught the world’s attention with its essay-like answers to users’ questions. Microsoft has invested about $1 billion in OpenAI.
But the program’s success has also raised concerns. Hundreds of industry figures, including Altman, signed a letter in May that said, “Mitigating the threat of extinction from artificial intelligence should be a global priority in addition to other social risks such as pandemics and nuclear war.”
Lawmakers around the world are also studying AI. The 27-nation European Union is seeking an AI law that could become the de facto global standard governing the technology.
Altman made clear to Congress in May that government intervention would be necessary to manage the risks that come with artificial intelligence.
