Warning: The Urgency in Sam Altman's Controversial Saga

Jill Filipovic, a journalist based in New York and author of "OK Boomer, Let's Talk: How My Generation Got Left Behind," shares her insights on the recent ouster of Sam Altman from his role as CEO of OpenAI, which has caused upheaval within the company and the industry. The move has led to hundreds of OpenAI employees threatening to resign, while Altman has already transitioned to a role at Microsoft. With OpenAI now on its third CEO in as many days, the future of the company, known for creating ChatGPT, remains uncertain.

Jill Filipovic

Credit: Jill Filipovic

The drama is certainly interesting, but it also prompts important questions that extend beyond the internal workings of a single company. Who are the individuals responsible for shaping our technological future? What principles guide their decision-making? How can other institutions, such as governments, non-tech industries, global alliances, and regulatory bodies, control the potential dangers posed by AI innovators?

OpenAI was initially established as a nonprofit organization with the aim of utilizing potentially superhuman intelligence for the benefit of all humanity. However, the company has since ventured into the for-profit sector, with a substantial financial arm. Their rapid development of new technologies has raised concerns, as some of these technologies have been released to the public before they were deemed ready by certain employees. It has been reported that they have created an AI technology so dangerous that they refuse to make it public, keeping its details concealed from reporters and the public.

This rapid and secretive development of potentially hazardous technology played a role in the firing of Sam Altman. According to CNN's David Goldman, the OpenAI board was anxious about the company creating a technological equivalent of a nuclear bomb, with Altman moving so fast that he risked a global catastrophe. Of particular concern was Altman's efforts to make the tools behind ChatGPT accessible to anyone who wished to create their own version of the chatbot, a move that some board members feared could have widespread disastrous consequences.

But then he was terminated without notice, and apparently without involvement from Microsoft, the company's largest shareholder. Now, Altman is part of the new AI group at Microsoft, and it raises the question of whether the level of oversight and caution there will match that of OpenAI, or if he will be given free rein to move as quickly and aggressively as he desires. Despite the justified caution of the OpenAI board, the company has conducted much of its work in secrecy - leaving the public largely unaware of what a small group of unaccountable technologists are developing, and how it is certain to profoundly alter their lives.

Sam Altman, left, joins Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella onstage at OpenAI's inaugural developer conference on November 6, 2023, in San Francisco. After his unexpected exit from OpenAI, Altman was quickly snatched up by Microsoft for a new project, causing ripples in the artificial intelligence community. (AP Photo/Barbara Ortutay, File)

The turmoil at OpenAI goes beyond Sam Altman. AI is widely seen as having the potential to significantly change human existence. It is expected to alter how we process information, communicate, learn, and work. The consequences could be even more profound, as AI has shown the ability to deceive and disguise its actions, as well as suggest design for a virus to spread more rapidly. Many researchers are aware of how quickly these machines could potentially become a threat to humanity, including Altman, who has prepared a doomsday refuge in Big Sur with weapons and gas masks in case AI turns against us, as reported in the New Yorker.

AI is an exciting technology, but it also carries significant risks. While it may bring about societal and personal impacts, the potential for much larger and dangerous consequences, such as the destruction of human societies, cannot be ignored. In the words of one expert, "no gas mask is helping anyone" if AI is determined to wipe us out. For a detailed and terrifying rundown of AI's current risks, the Atlantic profile of Altman and his technology is worth a read.

Given the transformative impact of AI, it is imperative that the development process is not left in the hands of a select few individuals, primarily men, in tech hubs like Silicon Valley. The public has a vested interest in the development of AI and the beneficiaries it will ultimately serve. Currently, AI development is backed by significant financial investments from individuals seeking substantial profits. This raises the question of whether the interests of the public align with profit-driven shareholders or with tech entrepreneurs focused on leading the AI revolution, regardless of potential human impacts.

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It's evident that AI is rapidly advancing. How it's developed and introduced to the public is of utmost importance, potentially surpassing any past century's technology. Its impact is comparable to that of the atom bomb, but likely even harder to manage and regulate.

Regulation alone is insufficient to ensure the AI future is not catastrophic. With the development of AI becoming an international arms race, the implications are particularly grim if malicious actors are the first to develop the technology. However, regulation is a crucial initial step. Transparency is also essential: in the US, companies have extensive ability to operate secretively, keeping much of their AI activity concealed to thwart competition. The public has a right to know what life-altering technologies are being developed and what measures are in place to protect humanity, including our jobs, communities, families, connections, education, and ability to lead meaningful lives, as well as our safety.

The Altman narrative is captivating as he is the dominant figure in AI technology, essentially making him one of the most influential individuals globally. However, this raises important questions: Who is he, what authority does he wield, how is he using it, who holds him accountable, and do we feel at ease with a small, unmonitored group having such significant life-changing influence?