The co-founder of ChatGPT developer OpenAI, Sam Altman, is more conciliatory in the dispute with the European Union (EU) over the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI). "AI should be regulated," Altman said on Thursday at a discussion event at the Technical University (TU) in Munich. "We have called for this." And there are also approaches in Europe that are quite good. "But we need more clarity." One should wait and see how the AI develops further and only then intervene regulatory. Of course, the results produced by the AI must make sense.
With the release of the ChatGPT application, OpenAI has triggered a hype about so-called generative AI. It simulates human interaction and can create texts, images or videos with just a few keywords.
Before the visit to Munich, the co-founder of OpenAI, a Microsoft investment, had made a short trip to Berlin and met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) on Thursday. He did not want to comment specifically on the contents of the conversation in Munich: "We talked about a lot of things that are important for Germany." The Federal Chancellery confirmed the meeting.
Applause and cheers
On Wednesday, Altman threatened to withdraw from Europe in London. The Commission's current draft AI regulation constitutes "over-regulation". But he had heard that he should be withdrawn. This provoked strong reactions in Brussels. EU rules on AI are non-negotiable, EU Industry Commissioner Thierry Breton told Reuters. "Our rules are there for the safety and well-being of our citizens, and that is not the subject of negotiations." The EU is far ahead with its regulatory framework, Breton said. It deals with the risks, but also enables innovation.
According to the EU's ideas, companies that develop so-called generative AI such as ChatGPT should have to disclose copyrighted material used. In addition, the EU wants to persuade companies to make a voluntary commitment.
In Munich, about 1000 students welcomed Altman with applause and cheers. The OpenAI founder spoke out against a pause in the further development of AI proposed by experts: "I don't think that's the best approach." In an open letter in March, researchers, scientists and tech experts called for a moratorium on AI. Security standards would have to prevent possible damage from the riskiest AI technologies. More than 1000 people had signed it – including Elon Musk. Altman doubts that a respite could help: "Six months? One year, two years? And what do we do then?"