During a visit to the United Arab Emirates, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has warned that artificial intelligence poses an “existential risk” to humanity. Altman suggested that an international agency like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should oversee the technology to ensure that its risks are managed while its benefits are still enjoyed.
AI Concerns
Altman’s concerns stem from the success of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, a chatbot that offers essay-like answers to user prompts. The chatbot’s popularity has sparked concerns among industry leaders, who have signed a letter warning that “mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war.”
Regulation of AI
Altman referenced the IAEA as an example of how the world has come together to oversee nuclear power. He suggested that an agency like the IAEA could help regulate the risks posed by AI. Altman has previously told the US Congress that government intervention will be critical to governing the risks that come with AI.
Lawmakers around the world are also examining artificial intelligence. The European Union is pursuing an AI Law that could become the de facto global standard for AI.
Concerns in the UAE
However, the UAE, an autocratic federation of seven hereditarily ruled sheikhdoms, offers a different perspective on the risks of AI. Speech is tightly controlled in the UAE, and rights groups warn that the country and other states in the Persian Gulf regularly use spying software to monitor activists, journalists, and others. These restrictions affect the flow of accurate information, which is crucial for AI programs like ChatGPT to provide their answers for users.
Among speakers opening for Altman at the event at the Abu Dhabi Global Market was Andrew Jackson, the CEO of the Inception Institute of AI. The company is described as a company of G42, which is tied to Abu Dhabi’s powerful national security adviser and deputy ruler Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan. G42 also owns a video and voice calling app that reportedly was a spying tool for the Emirati government.
Altman’s warning highlights the need for careful regulation of AI to ensure its benefits are maximized while minimizing its risks. An international agency like the IAEA could play a crucial role in overseeing AI and mitigating its risks. However, the concerns in the UAE and other countries highlight the challenges of regulating AI in different political contexts. As AI continues to advance, it will be essential to find the right balance between regulation and innovation.
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