OpenAI CEO Defends AI Safety Amidst Controversies
SEATTLE, United States—OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reassured the public about the safety of his company’s AI technology, despite recent concerns and controversies surrounding AI systems like ChatGPT.
Altman made these remarks at a Microsoft event in Seattle, where he addressed developers amidst a new scandal involving an OpenAI AI voice that sounded eerily similar to actress Scarlett Johansson.
The CEO, known for the release of ChatGPT in 2022, is now facing questions regarding the safety of OpenAI’s AI following the departure of the team responsible for managing long-term AI risks.
During his speech at the event, Altman encouraged developers to capitalize on the current technological opportunities and not wait for future advancements.
OpenAI, a key partner of Microsoft, provides the foundational technology, particularly the GPT-4 large language model, for developing AI tools.
Microsoft, in line with the AI trend, has been promoting new products that utilize generative AI capabilities.
Altman emphasized that while OpenAI’s GPT-4 model is not perfect, it is generally reliable and safe for various applications, thanks to the extensive safety measures implemented by the company.
However, doubts about OpenAI’s commitment to safety resurfaced recently when the company disbanded its “superalignment” group, responsible for addressing long-term AI risks. Former team co-leader Jan Leike criticized OpenAI for prioritizing new products over safety concerns.
The controversy deepened when Scarlett Johansson expressed outrage over an AI voice used by OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which resembled her voice from the movie “Her.”
In response, Altman issued a brief apology to Johansson, maintaining that the voice was not based on hers.
