On AI's Evolution: Comments from Business Leaders and Policy-Makers
Last week, OpenAI, the high-profile developer of ChatGPT, announced a “leadership transition" and said:
"Sam Altman will depart as CEO and leave the board of directors.
"Mira Murati, the company’s chief technology officer, will serve as interim CEO, effective immediately.”
Note: the dynamics of transition story are still unfolding.
Separately, AI-related comments at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco included:
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella - “We finally have a way to interact with computing using natural language. That is, we finally have a technology that understands us, not the other way around . As our interactions with technology become more and more natural, computers will increasingly be able to see and interpret our intent and make sense of the world around us.”
Google CEO Sundar Pichai - “I think we have to work hard to harness it ... but that is true of every other technological advance we’ve had before. It was true for the industrial revolution. I think we can learn from those things.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice - “Everyone has learned to spell AI, they don’t really know what quite to do about it ... they have enormous benefit written all over them. They also have a lot of cautionary tales about how technology can be misused.”
Finally, members of the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation introduced the “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research, Innovation, and Accountability Act.” Comments from its sponsors included:
Senator Amy Klobuchar - “Artificial intelligence comes with the potential for great benefits, but also serious risks, and our laws need to keep up… This bipartisan legislation is one important step of many necessary towards addressing potential harms. It will put in place common sense safeguards for the highest-risk applications of AI – like in our critical infrastructure – and improve transparency for policy makers and consumers.”
Senator John Then - “AI is a revolutionary technology that has the potential to improve health care, agriculture, logistics and supply chains, and countless other industries … As this technology continues to evolve, we should identify some basic rules of the road that protect Americans and consumers, foster an environment in which innovators and entrepreneurs can thrive, and limit government intervention. This legislation would bolster the United States’ leadership and innovation in AI while also establishing common-sense safety and security guardrails for the highest-risk AI applications.”
Senator Roger Wicker - “Artificial Intelligence technologies holdincredible potential for the future of our country, and it is important for Congress to provide guidance to industry as new applications emerge … This legislation would provide a light-touch framework to help protect Americans and ensure this promising capability is not crushed by an overly burdensome and reactive approach.”
OUR TAKE
Regarding OpenAI: In the short term, the leadership transition (which includes the departure of OpenAI’s chairman) will attract media, technology and investor attention. Longer term, the OpenAI team will adapt, and its departed team members will likely pursue other AI ventures.
Regarding comments at APEC: AI benefits and risks are widely discussed, but successful AI solutions need to 1) be economically viable, 2) address user needs and concerns, and 3) comply with emerging regulations.
Regarding Congressional actions: Their proposed legislation focuses on the development of a framework and guidelines by the Department of Commerce, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Government Accountability Office. This approach should help to enable rather than hinder AI innovation.