OpenAI CEO Sam Altman testified in front of a Senate judiciary committee panel that he supports regulatory guardrails for the technology that would enable the benefits of artificial intelligence while minimizing the harms. While acknowledging that his company is building tools that “one day will help us make new discoveries and address some of humanity’s biggest challenges," Altman stated that current systems are not yet capable of achieving these goals.
Senators Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal praised Altman for bringing attention to the pitfalls of AI technology, noting that this hearing represents just the first step in understanding its implications. Executives from two major AI companies joined Altman in urging senators to pass regulations addressing ethical, legal, and national security questions raised by rapid innovation in artificial intelligence.
In his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing held on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Washington DC, OpenAI's co-founder and CEO also warned federal lawmakers about "significant harm" caused by a potential downward spiral if AI technologies fall into misuse. He called for government intervention to protect against adverse effects and abuses while expressing concerns related to bias, misinformation created by other AI-enabled chatbots.
Microsoft recently announced an investment worth $10 billion into OpenAI which has since transformed into a for-profit company experiencing significant growth.
During questioning at the hearing focused on generative AI products such as ChatGPT developed by OpenAI with Microsoft's support., Altman repeatedly expressed openness towards legislation within this domain. He emphasized striking a balance between explaining how ChatGPT operates and advocating Congress' cooperation with companies like his own when devising rules and guardrails surrounding emerging technologies.
GenerativeAI presents unique challenges requiring separate policy responses according to Altman who recommended creating a government agency responsible for establishing rules around licensing specific tiers of AI systems above "a crucial threshold of capabilities". He also touched on potential dangers posed by online predators, toxic content, and threats to children's safety due to the misuse of AI technologies.
Delaware Senator Chris Coons (D) announced that Congress will continue hosting hearings related to artificial intelligence, with one planned for July focusing specifically on copyright and patents. OpenAI executive Sam Altman presented a possible solution at Tuesday's hearing: licensing as a method for ensuring adherence to safety rules among more powerful AI models.