OpenAI boss downplays fears ChatGPT maker could leave Europe over AI rules


PTI, May 27, 2023, 9:55 AM IST

Representative image (Source: Pexels)

London: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Friday downplayed worries that the ChatGPT maker could exit the European Union if it can’t comply with the bloc’s strict new artificial intelligence rules, coming after a top official rebuked him for comments raising such a possibility.

Altman is travelling through Europe as part of a world tour to meet with officials and promote his AI company, which has unleashed a frenzy around the globe.

At a stop this week in London, he said OpenAI might leave if the artificial intelligence rules that the EU is drawing up are too tough. That triggered a pointed reply on social media from European Commissioner Thierry Breton, accusing the company of blackmail.

Breton, who’s charge of digital policy, linked to a Financial Times article quoting Altman saying that OpenAI “will try to comply, but if we can’t comply we will cease operating.”

Altman sought to calm the waters a day later, tweeting: “very productive week of conversations in europe about how to best regulate AI! we are excited to continue to operate here and of course have no plans to leave.”

The European Union is at the forefront of global efforts to draw up guardrails for artificial intelligence, with its AI Act in the final stages after years of work.

The rapid rise of general purpose AI chatbots like ChatGPT caught EU officials off guard, and they scrambled to add provisions covering so-called generative AI systems, which can produce convincingly human-like conversational answers, essays, images and more in response to questions from users.

“There is no point in attempting blackmail — claiming that by crafting a clear framework, Europe is holding up the rollout of generative #AI,” Breton said in his tweet. He added that the EU aims to “assist companies in their preparation” for the AI Act.

Altman tweeted that his European tour includes Warsaw, Poland; Munich, Germany; Paris; Madrid; Lisbon, Portugal; and London. Brussels, headquarters of the European Union, has not been mentioned.

He has met with world leaders including British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Tech company bosses have been wading into the debate over whether and how to regulate artificial intelligence.

Microsoft President Brad Smith on Thursday unveiled a blueprint for public governance of AI.

Altman told congressional lawmakers this month that AI should be regulated by a US or global agency because increasingly powerful systems will need government intervention to reduce their risks.

Altman was mobbed by students when he appeared in a “fireside chat” at University College London on Wednesday.

He told the audience that the “right answer” to regulating AI is “probably something between the traditional European, UK approach and the traditional US approach.”

“I think you really don’t want to overregulate this before you know what shape the technology is going to be,” Altman said.

There’s still potential to come up with “some sort of global set of norms and enforcement,” he said, adding that AI regulation has been a “recurring topic” on his world tour, which has also included stops in Toronto, Rio de Janeiro and Lagos, Nigeria.

(AP)

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Rishabh Pant becomes most expensive IPL buy at Rs 27 crore, Iyer fetches Rs 26.75 crore deal

Gujarat man held for impersonating govt official, duping people with forged letters

JD(S) first family avoids discussion on Channapatna bypoll debacle

BJP, JD(S) leaders helped win Channapatna bypoll: DK Shivakumar

Virat Kohli doesn’t have anything to prove, his contribution is unparalleled: Kapil Dev

IPL auction: Arshdeep bought by Punjab Kings for Rs 18 crore, Rabada goes to GT for Rs 10.75 crore

‘King and The Prince’: Tons by young Jaiswal, veteran Kohli put India in winning position

Related Articles More

Choose correct ITR to report foreign assets; 2 lakh such returns filed: CBDT official

Air India Express increases flight operations from northeast destinations

Mcap of 8 of top-10 most-valued domestic firms jumps Rs 1.55 lakh cr; HDFC Bank, TCS sparkle

Myntra pilots foray into quick commerce with ‘M-Now’ in select locations of Bengaluru

Never entered into pact to operate airport in Kenya: Adani

MUST WATCH

Prakash Belawadi

Naxal Leader Vikram Gowda

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing

DK Shivakumar

Rose Cultivation


Latest Additions

All-party meet: Govt seeks smooth Winter Session, Congress pushes for early debate on Adani issue

Container truck hits road divider on Mumbra bypass, disrupts traffic

National Consumer Helpline to roll out AI-based features, partners with 1,000 firms

Man attempting suicide saved after friend saw his Facebook livestream

UP: 3 killed in clashes during violent protest against Sambhal mosque survey

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.