12-6-2023 (NEW YORK) OpenAI Inc’s Chief Executive Officer, Sam Altman, emphasized the crucial role that China should play in shaping the guardrails for artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure the safety of transformative new systems. Speaking via video link at a conference in Beijing on Saturday, Altman highlighted the increasing importance of global cooperation as AI systems continue to gain power.
Altman’s company, OpenAI, triggered an AI frenzy in China with the launch of ChatGPT last year. Both China and Silicon Valley are witnessing a flow of talent and investments into the AI sector, which has become a strategic battleground defining the deepening tech rivalry between the world’s two largest economies. The rapid advancements in AI technology have also brought attention to the tensions surrounding government regulations in this sector. Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized the need for greater state oversight to address national security risks associated with AI.
“China boasts some of the world’s best AI talent, and addressing the challenges of alignment for advanced AI systems necessitates the collaboration of the brightest minds from around the globe,” Altman stated at the event hosted by the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence.
Altman’s speech at the Beijing conference was significant, considering the influential position of the academy in China’s AI sector. The non-profit organization, supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the local government of Beijing, has been recognized as one of the leading institutions for AI innovation by Microsoft Corp President Brad Smith.
It is worth noting that OpenAI’s ChatGPT is currently not available in China due to the country’s strict data and censorship regulations, which have limited access to services from Western tech giants such as Google and Facebook (Meta Platforms Inc). Experts predict that Western companies will face similar challenges in making significant progress in AI within China, given the complex data and algorithm laws.
China’s regulatory authorities have indicated in draft guidelines that platform operators may bear significant responsibility for algorithm and content requirements within the country. In June, the State Council announced plans to discuss AI-related legislation later this year. Altman revealed on Saturday that OpenAI intends to open-source more of its models in the future to contribute to AI safety. However, he did not specify a timeline or which specific models would be made available.
Altman’s speech in Beijing is part of his global tour to promote AI governance. During his visit to London in late May, Altman sparked a confrontation with European Union regulators by suggesting that OpenAI might withdraw from the region if proposed AI laws were enacted, holding companies accountable for the use of their systems.
