OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, clarifies the company’s commitment to remain in Europe despite previous remarks suggesting a potential exit. In response to the upcoming regulations on artificial intelligence (AI), Altman stated that OpenAI is eager to continue operations in the region and has no plans to leave. Earlier, Altman had voiced concerns about the EU AI Act, claiming it to be overly restrictive. However, his recent tweet emphasizes OpenAI’s dedication to staying in Europe.
Altman’s earlier statement drew criticism from various lawmakers, including EU industry chief Thierry Breton. In an effort to address concerns and engage in productive discussions, Altman embarked on a week-long tour across European countries, meeting with prominent politicians in France, Spain, Poland, Germany, and the UK. The focus of these discussions was to deliberate on the future of AI and provide updates on ChatGPT, OpenAI’s notable AI model.
OpenAI faced scrutiny for its lack of disclosure regarding the training data for its latest AI model, GPT-4. The company cited competitive landscape and safety considerations as reasons for withholding specific details. During the debate on the AI Act draft, EU lawmakers introduced additional proposals that would require companies utilizing generative tools like ChatGPT to disclose copyrighted material used for training. These transparency provisions aim to establish trustworthiness in AI and the companies developing such technologies.
The draft of the AI Act was approved by EU parliamentarians earlier this month, and final details of the bill will be determined through discussions involving member states, the European Commission, and Parliament later this year. ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot supported by Microsoft, has sparked both excitement and concerns surrounding AI capabilities, leading to clashes with regulatory bodies.
Altman’s recent tweet received a response from Dutch MEP Kim van Sparrentak, emphasizing the need for firmness in dealing with pressure from tech companies. She stressed the importance of clear obligations on transparency, security, and environmental standards, stating that voluntary codes of conduct are not aligned with European principles. OpenAI had previously encountered regulatory challenges in March when Italian data regulator Garante suspended the app domestically, citing violations of European privacy rules. The app was subsequently reinstated after OpenAI implemented new privacy measures.
German MEP Sergey Lagodinsky, who has also contributed to the AI Act draft, expressed satisfaction with Altman’s commitment and urged a collaborative approach. He stated that the European Parliament supports AI and emphasized the common challenges that need to be addressed together.
OpenAI recently announced the allocation of $1 million in grants to fund experiments focused on determining the governance of AI software. Altman referred to these grants as an opportunity to democratically decide on the behavior of AI systems.
OpenAI’s commitment to stay in Europe underscores its dedication to navigating the evolving landscape of AI regulations while addressing concerns raised by lawmakers and regulatory bodies.
