The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has led to concerns about its impact on society. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently testified before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee, urging lawmakers to regulate the development and deployment of generative AI systems. He took a moment to express his apprehension about the risks associated with increasingly powerful models. He also called for regulatory interventions by governments to mitigate potential AI risks.
Concerns Over Potential Risks
Altman’s fears over AI include the potential of using it for voter manipulation and spreading disinformation, especially in the lead-up to an election year. In his opening remarks before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee, he proposed the formation of a U.S. or global agency that would license the most powerful AI systems and have the authority to take that license away if the technology didn’t comply with safety standards.
He further suggested that a combination of licensing and testing requirements could be applied to companies working on the most powerful AI systems. This would apply to both the development and release of AI models above a certain threshold of capabilities.
Also Read: EU Takes First Steps Towards Regulating Generative AI
Printing Press Moment
Altman described the current boom in AI as a potential “printing press moment.” The printing press was a technological breakthrough that allowed information to spread rapidly and widely. It was also subject to regulation, as lawmakers recognized the power it wielded. Similarly, Altman urged lawmakers to recognize that AI is a transformative technology that needs to be regulated to prevent misuse.
Fake Recording Illustrates Potential Risks
Sen. Richard Blumenthal kicked off the hearing with a fake recording of his own voice created using AI. The recording featured remarks written by ChatGPT, and audio of Blumenthal’s voice produced using recordings of his actual floor speeches. This illustrated the potential risks of AI technology and demonstrated the need for regulation.
Also Read: AGI Revolution is Comparable to the Invention of the Wheel: AI Godfather Geoffrey Hinton
Tech CEOs Meet With Harris and Biden
Earlier this month, Altman was one of several tech CEOs to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris and, briefly, President Joe Biden as part of the White House’s efforts to emphasize the importance of ethical and responsible AI development. Altman has presented himself as someone who’s mindful of the risks posed by AI and even “a little bit scared” of the technology. He and his company have pledged to move forward responsibly.
Our Say
The advancement of AI technology has raised concerns about its potential impact on society. Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO, testified before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee, urging lawmakers to regulate the development & deployment of AI systems. Altman proposed the formation of a U.S. or global agency that would license the most powerful AI systems. They would also have the authority to take that license away if the technology didn’t comply with safety standards. His fears over AI included its potential use in voter manipulation and spreading disinformation. As AI continues to evolve rapidly, there arises a need for government regulations to mitigate the risks associated with increasingly powerful models.
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Sabreena Basheer is an architect-turned-writer who's passionate about documenting anything that interests her. She's currently exploring the world of AI and Data Science as a Content Manager at Analytics Vidhya.
