Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, the developer of the ChatGPT program, emphasized the "need for regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence" following the global impact of his program. During a Senate hearing on the effects of AI, Altman urged for "new rules to be imposed on major tech companies" despite the sharp political divisions that have obstructed legislation aimed at regulating the internet sector for years.
He stated, "We believe that regulatory intervention by governments will be necessary to mitigate the risks associated with increasingly powerful models," noting challenges such as misinformation and job loss. Altman warned against "the use of AI to interfere with the integrity of elections," considering it "a major concern that requires regulation."
For months, both large and small companies have been racing to utilize AI, allocating endless data and billions of dollars, while critics worry that this technology may exacerbate societal harm. Senator Cory Booker, one of many legislators questioning the best ways to regulate AI, remarked, "There is no way to bottle this genie; it's like an explosion on a global level."
Additionally, Senator Mazie Hirono pointed out the "risk of misinformation as the 2024 elections approach." She recounted seeing a widely circulated fake image of former President Donald Trump being arrested by New York police. Hirono pressed Altman to clarify whether he considers such a fake image harmful.
Altman responded that creators of such AI-generated images should clarify when they were created rather than release them as if they were real. Speaking before Congress for the first time, Altman confirmed that the United States should generally consider licensing requirements and testing for the development of AI models.
When asked about which type of AI should be subject to licensing, Altman said, "The model that can guide to a specific conviction or manipulate individual beliefs." He added that companies should also have the right to say they do not want their data used for AI training, which is one of the ideas currently being discussed in Congress.
