OpenAI CEO urges global AI oversight, invites UAE to lead discussions

Dubai: Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, called for a global system for AI oversight and invited the UAE to lead discussions during the opening session of the second day of the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2024.

“For various reasons, the UAE would be well-positioned to lead discussions on this matter. I propose hosting a one-day conference where global leaders can brainstorm and strategise on these important issues,” said Altman, speaking via video conferencing in a session with Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.

Altman said, “I often use the example of the IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Agency, as a model for handling the impact of the most powerful AI systems. Establishing auditing and safety measures before deploying superintelligence or artificial general intelligence (AGI) is crucial.”

He noted that the readiness of the UAE positions it to lead global discussions on leveraging artificial intelligence systems while implementing secure measures.

Altman highlighted the ‘remarkable’ future awaiting humanity with the advancement of AI systems. Once fully developed, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will revolutionise education, healthcare, and new sciences, he said.

Altman said despite its growth, the world is still witnessing the early stages of AI. “We haven’t seen this much world changing, and I think the reason is that the current technology we have is like a black and white TV screen,” said Altman, noting that “we have a long way to go.”

AI will make intelligence broadly available, inexpensive and a tool to let humanity build the future. However, its full advancement and growth will require time and patience, similar to that of the progress of cellular phones from primitive mobiles to today’s iPhones.

“In a few more years, the technology will be much better than it is now and, in a decade, it should be remarkable,” said Altman. “We don’t realise how limited we are now, and how limited our intelligence is and how expensive and difficult the technology is.”

Altman urged governments to adopt AI technologies to better serve citizens and modernise the workplace.

Asked about what can be expected from ChatGPT 5, Altman said, “It is going to be smarter, it will be multimodal, it will be faster. But what I think matters is it’s going to be smarter.”

Altman said ChatGPT, which was developed by OpenAI, revolutionised education and made scientists more productive.

“Imagine a world where everyone gets a great personal tutor, a great personalised medical advice, and how we can use these tools to discover new sciences and build healthy environments,” said Altman.

He stressed the need for governments to collaborate towards adopting the new technologies, putting the right measures in place and patience until the new technologies take their full shape.

Altman noted that this generation is unbelievably lucky to be living “in the best time of human history,” noting that although rules are shifting, the ability AI will give people to express their creative imagination and will is remarkable.

Running until 14th February, this year’s WGS brings together more than 25 heads of state, more than 85 international and regional organisations and global institutions, 140 governments, and distinguished global thought leaders and experts.

Over 200 prominent speakers are addressing global future trends during more than 110 dialogues and sessions. WGS 2024 also hosts more than 4000 attendees, as well as more than 23 ministerial meetings and executive sessions attended by more than 300 ministers.

Also read: ‘Falcon Foundation’ launched to champion open-sourcing of generative AI models

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