The CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, has threatened to withdraw the ChatGPT maker from the EU if the bloc overregulates. Altman has spent the past week meeting with top politicians in France, Spain, Poland, Germany, and the UK to discuss the future of AI and the progress of ChatGPT. Altman cancelled a scheduled visit to Brussels, where EU regulators are working on the long-awaited EU AI Act, which could be the first set of rules globally to govern AI. EU lawmakers responsible for shaping the AI Act disputed Altman’s claims and said they won’t be “blackmailed” by American companies.
As highlighted by recent reports, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has been traveling across Europe to discuss the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and the progress of ChatGPT, the company’s AI-powered chatbot. However, Altman has threatened that OpenAI may leave the EU if the bloc “overregulates” the technology.
Altman has been urging lawmakers worldwide to draw up new rules governing the technology for months now. He canceled his scheduled visit to Brussels, where EU regulators are working on the long-awaited EU AI Act, which could be the first set of rules globally to govern AI.
In London on Wednesday, Altman said, “The current draft of the EU AI Act would be over-regulating, but we have heard it’s going to get pulled back.” However, EU lawmakers responsible for shaping the AI Act disputed Altman’s claims. They said, “I don’t see any dilution happening anytime soon.” They also invited Altman to Parliament so he can voice his concerns and hear European lawmakers’ thoughts on these issues.
Altman’s threat to leave the EU if the bloc overregulates AI has drawn backlash from lawmakers. Dutch MEP Kim van Sparrentak said, “If OpenAI can’t comply with basic data governance, transparency, safety, and security requirements, then their systems aren’t fit for the European market.” She also added that they shouldn’t let themselves be blackmailed by American companies.
OpenAI first clashed with regulators in March when Italian data regulator Garante shut the app down domestically, accusing OpenAI of flouting European privacy rules. However, by February, ChatGPT set a record for the fastest-growing user base of any consumer application app in history.
On Thursday, OpenAI is expected to discuss in more detail how AI should be regulated. Altman’s busy schedule includes meetings with world leaders such as UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Altman’s threat to leave the EU if the bloc overregulates AI is a cause for concern. While it’s essential to regulate AI to ensure transparency, safety, and security, overregulation can stifle innovation and progress in the field. It’s crucial to find a balance between regulating AI and allowing companies to innovate and develop new technologies.
Hence, the future of AI is uncertain, and regulations governing it are still being developed. While it’s important to regulate AI, it’s essential to ensure that regulations do not stifle innovation and progress in the field. It remains to be seen how the EU AI Act will shape up and how OpenAI will respond to it.
