Altman urges U.S. action to beat China in AI race
Sam Altman, OpenAI co-founder and CEO, is calling for a "U.S.-led global coalition" to ensure a democratic vision for AI prevails over an authoritarian one — and says both Washington and state governments must act with more urgency.
Why it matters: In the face of China's determination to become a dominant AI player, Altman wants to goad governments at all levels into a more strategic, urgent AI approach.
Previewing an op-ed
Altman was previewing an op-ed posted Thursday by The Washington Post, in which he argues that "authoritarian regimes and movements will keep a close hold on the technology's scientific, health, educational and other societal benefits to cement their own power."
Key Points by Altman
Altman writes that U.S. "public and technology sectors need to get four big things right to ensure the creation of a world shaped by a democratic vision for AI".
Altman told Axios that state governments must do more to ensure "physical infrastructure — data centers and power and water and manufacturing."
Altman expressed that regardless of who wins in November, "the next president is going to be required to make some very substantial decisions about the rollout of AI into the world."
The bottom line: "If we want to ensure that the future of AI is a future built to benefit the most people possible," Altman writes, "we need a U.S.-led global coalition ... to make it happen."
