OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says, "If this technology goes wrong, it can go quite wrong"

Sam Altman, the CEO of ChatGPT's OpenAI, while speaking to US Senators on Tuesday said that regulating artificial intelligence (AI) was essential, AFP reported. Earlier, US lawmakers had voiced their demand for new rules to guide the rapid development of AI technology especially as it could be very dangerous in the hands of cybercriminals.

Altman, in his Senate testimony said, "We think that regulatory intervention by governments will be critical to mitigate the risks of increasingly powerful models". Altman also suggested that the US must consider licensing , testing requirements for development of AI models.

In effect, Altman was proposing the formation of a US or global agency that would license the most powerful AI systems.

In the Senate Judiciary hearing, Altman testified about the advancements and potential risks of AI. Altman highlighted the positive impact of OpenAI's technology, stating that it supports accessibility advancements and can contribute to finding solutions to significant challenges like climate change and cancer treatment.

Even as he praised the potential of the new technology, which he said could solve humanity’s biggest problems, Altman warned that AI is powerful enough to change society in unpredictable ways, and “regulatory intervention by governments will be critical to mitigate the risks.”

“As this technology advances, we understand that people are anxious about how it could change the way we live. We are too," Altman said, regarding the fear in the public about the technology's potential to do harm.

He also emphasised the responsibility of companies to develop AI systems with democratic principles in mind, irrespective of government actions.

“I think we also need rules, guidelines, on what’s expected in terms of disclosure from a company providing a model,” Altman said about elections and AI, adding "I am nervous about it."

“My worst fear is that we, the technology industry, cause significant harm to the world,” Altman said. “If this technology goes wrong, it can go quite wrong.”

Christina Montgomery, Chief Privacy and Trust Officer at IBM, also testified during the hearing, emphasising that AI raises critical questions about its societal impacts, such as bias, misinformation, and misuse.

Montgomery too emphasised the role of the government in establishing appropriate guardrails and working collaboratively with the business community to protect people's interests.

Altman's testimony marks OpenAI's first appearance in Congress and comes amidst growing concerns raised by AI experts, including Dr. Geoffrey Hinton, regarding the rapid development of AI technology.

The hearing aims to address the potential threats posed by AI and determine whether government regulation is necessary to ensure its responsible and ethical use.