Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing at such a rapid pace that the global community must establish an international regulatory body for Creating Artificial Intelligence similar to those governing nuclear power, according to OpenAI. In a blog post, OpenAI founders Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, and Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever emphasized the urgent need for effective oversight of AI technologies, acknowledging that existing authorities are ill-equipped to handle the unprecedented challenges posed by AI.
Threat and Asset
OpenAI’s renowned conversational agent, ChatGPT, has garnered significant attention and popularity. However, the company recognizes that this technology represents both a unique threat and an invaluable asset. To ensure the safety and seamless integration of AI systems into society, OpenAI highlights the necessity for coordination among leading AI development efforts.
The Blog Post
In a blog post published by OpenAI, the company proposes the establishment of an international authority, similar to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), responsible for overseeing , Creating Artificial Intelligence and superintelligence projects. This governing body would inspect systems, enforce safety standards, conduct audits, impose restrictions on deployment and security levels, and establish international agreements and standards.
While it may lack the power to immediately neutralize malicious actors, such an AI-governing body can set a foundation by monitoring and tracking adherence to regulations.
OpenAI suggests that tracking compute power and energy consumption dedicated to AI research could be one objective measure to report and monitor. Although determining specific areas where AI should or should not be applied may be challenging, monitoring and auditing resources dedicated to AI aligns with practices in other industries. OpenAI also considers exempting smaller companies from certain regulations to foster innovation while ensuring oversight.
OpenAI Urges Creation of International Regulatory Body for Creating Artificial Intelligence;
The Need to Look Beyond Profit
Renowned AI researcher and critic, Timnit Gebru, expressed a similar sentiment, stating in an interview with The Guardian that external pressure and regulation are necessary because companies are unlikely to self-regulate. Gebru emphasized the need for a motive beyond profit in guiding AI development.
OpenAI Stance
OpenAI’s stance on governance aligns with calls for increased public oversight. As the dominant AI brand and provider globally, OpenAI’s support for tangible actions to address governance concerns is significant. However, the company acknowledges that designing an effective regulatory mechanism is still a challenge.
While OpenAI’s leaders express their support for cautious development, they do not currently plan to slow down progress. Their reluctance stems from the desire to harness AI’s immense potential for societal improvement and financial gains, as well as concerns that halting development may empower malicious actors.
Source: TechCrunch
