OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has revealed the extent of his company’s collaboration with the US government, stating he personally communicates with government officials “every few days” about artificial intelligence development and safety. The disclosure came during a primetime interview with Oprah Winfrey on ABC’s special “AI and the Future of US,” which also featured Microsoft founder Bill Gates and FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Altman emphasized the critical importance of establishing partnerships between AI companies and government agencies, particularly focusing on safety precautions as the technology rapidly evolves. “One of the first things we need to do — and this is now happening — is to get the government to start figuring out how to do safety testing of these systems, like we do for aircraft or new medicines,” Altman explained during the interview.
The OpenAI founder detailed his company’s extensive government connections, noting they maintain contact with “a lot of people” in the executive branch and “dozens of people” in Congress. These conversations primarily center on positioning the United States as a global leader in safe AI development, encompassing discussions about data center infrastructure, AI chip production, geopolitical strategy, safety testing protocols, economic impacts, and international collaboration.
In a significant development last month, OpenAI and Anthropic signed a landmark deal granting the government access to test and evaluate their AI models, responding to growing demands for regulation as AI technology advances at an unprecedented pace. This partnership was further solidified in August when the United States Agency for International Development became OpenAI’s first federal customer, adopting the company’s ChatGPT Enterprise service.
However, OpenAI’s regulatory stance isn’t uniformly supportive of all oversight measures. The company has notably opposed California’s AI safety bill, arguing it would “stifle innovation,” despite support from prominent figures like Geoffrey Hinton, the “godfather of AI.” This position contrasts with international developments, as the European Union passed the Artificial Intelligence Act in March, which took effect over the summer, establishing comprehensive AI regulations.
Key Quotes
I personally probably have a conversation with someone in the government every few days
Sam Altman revealed the frequency of his government communications during Oprah Winfrey’s ABC special, demonstrating the intense level of coordination between OpenAI and federal officials as AI technology rapidly advances.
One of the first things we need to do — and this is now happening — is to get the government to start figuring out how to do safety testing of these systems, like we do for aircraft or new medicines
Altman emphasized the need for rigorous safety protocols for AI systems, drawing parallels to established regulatory frameworks in aviation and pharmaceuticals, suggesting AI should face similar scrutiny before widespread deployment.
If we can get good at that now, we’ll have an easier time figuring out exactly what the regulatory framework is later
The OpenAI CEO argued for establishing safety testing procedures as a foundation for future comprehensive AI regulation, suggesting a phased approach to governance that prioritizes immediate safety concerns.
Our Take
Altman’s revelations expose the delicate balancing act AI companies face between embracing regulation and maintaining innovation velocity. His every-few-days government contact suggests AI development has reached a critical inflection point where private sector autonomy alone is insufficient. The contradiction between supporting federal oversight while opposing California’s bill reveals a strategic preference for centralized, industry-friendly regulation over potentially stricter state-level rules. This government-industry collaboration model, while promoting safety, also raises questions about regulatory capture—whether AI companies are helping shape rules that genuinely protect the public or merely create barriers to entry for competitors. The comparison to aircraft and pharmaceutical testing is apt but incomplete; AI systems evolve continuously post-deployment, unlike static products, requiring fundamentally different regulatory approaches. As the US races to maintain AI leadership against China, these conversations likely balance safety concerns with geopolitical competitiveness, potentially compromising thoroughness for speed.
Why This Matters
This story reveals the unprecedented level of coordination between leading AI companies and government agencies, signaling a critical shift in how transformative technologies are being developed and regulated. Altman’s frequent government communications underscore the urgency policymakers feel about establishing AI safety frameworks before the technology becomes even more powerful and pervasive.
The collaboration between OpenAI and federal agencies represents a proactive approach to AI governance that could set precedents for how emerging technologies are regulated globally. As AI systems become increasingly capable of impacting national security, economic stability, and social structures, the government-industry partnership model Altman describes may become the standard for responsible innovation.
For businesses and workers, these developments signal that AI regulation is inevitable, though its exact form remains under negotiation. Companies investing in AI technologies should prepare for safety testing requirements similar to those in aviation and pharmaceuticals. The tension between OpenAI’s support for federal collaboration but opposition to California’s bill also highlights the complex regulatory landscape emerging around AI, where companies seek favorable frameworks that balance innovation with safety concerns.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-talks-someone-government-every-few-days-2024-9