AI Concerns: Testimony of ChatGPT Chief at US Congressional Hearing

The head of the artificial intelligence (AI) company that makes ChatGPT told the US Congress on Tuesday that government intervention could play a key role in reducing the risks of "increasingly powerful" AI systems.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told a Senate hearing on Tuesday,

"As this technology advances, we understand that people are concerned about how it can change the way we live."

His San Francisco-based startup gained public attention after releasing ChatGPT late last year. ChatGPT is a free chatbot tool capable of answering questions with believably human-like responses.

Educators were initially apprehensive about the use of ChatGPT to cheat on homework assignments. Then it morphs into concerns about misleading people, spreading falsehoods, violating copyright protection. 

Later there was a great deal of concern about the potential of "generative AI" tools to take away some jobs.

Social concerns prompted Altman and other tech executives to visit the White House earlier this month, though there were no immediate signs that Congress would enact new artificial intelligence (AI) policies like European lawmakers.

 US agencies vow to crack down on harmful artificial intelligence (AI) products that violate existing civil rights and consumer protection laws.

Altman plans to embark on a global tour this month to national capitals and major cities on six continents to talk about the technology with policymakers and the public. 

On the eve of his testimony in the Senate, he met with several US lawmakers for dinner. Several lawmakers told CNBC they were impressed by Ta2's comments.

"Artificial intelligence will be transformative in ways we can't even imagine," said Josh Hawley of Missouri, the panel's Republican senator. 

It will affect Americans' elections, jobs and security. This hearing is an important first step in understanding what Congress should do."

Altman and other tech industry leaders say they welcome some oversight over AI. But they cautioned against overly strict rules. In a copy of his remarks, IBM's Montgomery called on Congress to adopt a "precise regulatory" approach.

Source: Voice of America