On January 19, at the Davos Forum, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said that AI cannot replace human beings, and do not attach too much importance to this technology to create panic.
Altman said that while AI has made significant progress in some areas, there are still limitations to its capabilities. He believes that AI cannot completely replace human judgment and creativity, and therefore should be viewed as an adjunctive tool rather than a substitute.
Altman said he understands the concerns surrounding AI, but that OpenAI is trying to move AI toward a technology that “we think is safe,” and that the gradual deployment of AI models will give society enough time to discuss the implications and develop safeguards.
On the regulatory front, Altman expressed confidence in addressing the problems in AI deployment and implementation around the world. He believes that putting technology in the hands of people and letting society and technology evolve together is the only way. By gradually building systems that meet safety requirements, we can ensure that the development of AI technology does not cause harm to humans.
In November 2023, Altman was fired by OpenAI’s board of directors, primarily due to concerns about AI security and OpenAI’s role in protecting AI, and expressed a loss of confidence in Altman’s leadership. After a backlash from OpenAI employees and investors, Altman was quickly reinstated.