The CEO of OpenAI, the firm that created ChatGPT, said before a Senate committee on Tuesday that the use of artificial intelligence to tamper with election integrity is a “significant area of concern” and that it requires regulation.
Regarding elections and AI, CEO Sam Altman remarked, “I am nervous about it,” adding that norms and standards are required.
Companies of all sizes have been competing for market share for months, sprinkling limitless data and billions of dollars on the endeavor.
Some detractors worry that the technology would make social ills—like bias and false information—worse, while others express concern that AI may put an end to mankind as we know it.
“This genie cannot be contained in a bottle. This is “exploding globally,” according to Senator Cory Booker, one of several senators who have concerns about the best ways to control AI.
As the election in 2024 approaches, Senator Mazie Hirono warned about the risk of false information. She questioned Altman about whether he would consider the falsified image damaging, saying, “For example, in the election context, I saw a picture of former President Trump being arrested by NYPD and that went viral.”
When a picture is produced rather than true, creators should make that apparent, in Altman’s opinion.
In his first appearance before Congress, Altman made the broad suggestion that the United States should take licensing and testing standards for the creation of AI models into consideration.
When asked for his opinion on whether types of artificial intelligence (AI) should be subject to licensing, Altman said that a model that can influence or manipulate a person’s opinions would be an example of a “great threshold.”
In addition, he advocated for giving businesses the freedom to decide whether or not to utilize their data for AI training, a proposal that is already being explored on Capitol Hill. However, according to Altman, everything found on a public website would be open game.
Altman said that although he “wouldn’t say never” to the possibility of advertising, a subscription-based model was his preference.
To discuss AI, the White House gathered leading technology CEOs, including Altman. Additionally, US politicians are pushing for steps to increase the technology’s advantages and national security while preventing abuse. There is no guarantee of consensus.
According to Reuters, an employee of OpenAI recently suggested establishing the Office for AI Safety and Infrastructure Security, or OASIS, as a U.S. licensing body for AI.
Microsoft Corporation is a supporter of OpenAI. Additionally, Altman is urging international collaboration in AI and financial incentives for safety compliance.
International Business Machines Corp.’s chief privacy and trust officer, Christina Montgomery, pleaded with Congress to concentrate legislation on areas that have the most potential to damage society.