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

Manipal: Senior Doctor Dr. Asha Bhat passes away 

Belagavi dons festive look to host centenary Congress session

India’s Martina Devi clinches silver at Asian Junior Weightlifting Championships

U’khand: 3 killed, 24 injured as bus falls into gorge in Bhimtal

Man tries to immolate self near parliament, taken to hospital

SC restrains ED from accessing seized electronic devices of ‘lottery king’ Santiago Martin

16-year-old girl gang-raped in UP’s Ballia, both accused arrested

Related Articles More

FPI inflows into Indian equities drop sharply in 2024; rebound anticipated in 2025

Rewind 2024: Mutual fund industry on a high; asset surges Rs 17 lakh crore this year

Epigamia founder Rohan Mirchandani dies of cardiac arrest at age 42

Lohia Auto launches EV brand ‘Youdha’, aims to sell 3 lakh vehicles by 2027

“FM ji FM ji, itna tax main kaise bharun”, asks investor Vijay Kedia in viral post

MUST WATCH

Tulunadu Daivaradane

Feeding Birds with Creative Paddy Art!

Areca Nut

HOTEL SRI DURGA BHAVANA

Harish Poonja


Latest Additions

Manipal: Senior Doctor Dr. Asha Bhat passes away 

Belagavi dons festive look to host centenary Congress session

One dead, 20 rescued after tourist boat capsizes off Calangute beach in Goa

Couple dies in fatal accident near Sampaje

Kodagu: Man seriously Injured in tiger attack

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

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