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As one of the most important figures in AI, Sam Altman is better placed than most to understand where the technology is going and has a unique perspective on its risks.

In a recent episode of Lex Fridmans podcast, the OpenAI CEO discussed Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), how he anticipates AI evolving in the coming years and the risks it poses to humanity.

When asked by Fridman when he thought humanity would build AGI, Altman observed that the question misses the complexity of the debate:

I used to love to speculate on that question. I have realized since that I think its very poorly formed, and that people use extremely different definitions for what AGI is. So I think it makes more sense to talk about when well build systems that can do capability X or Y or Z, rather than when we fuzzily cross this one-mile marker.

Nonetheless, he predicted that by the end of the decade we will have quite capable systems that will look remarkable compared to todays technology.

While Altman prefers to talk in terms of fuzzy milestones rather than radical epistemic shifts, he doesnt underestimate the potential for AI to transform the global economy.

He observed that it is a huge deal when a new technology can significantly increase the rate of scientific discovery. But he suggested that OpenAIs most advanced AI models have yet to instigate the kind of profound economic transformation he expects to see in the coming years.

As such, he concluded that the road to AGI will be a giant power struggle.

Asked by Fridman whether he trusts himself with the kind of power AGI could create, Altman hesitated.

Referring to the drama of his firing and subsequent reinstatement as the CEO of OpenAI last year, Altman acknowledged that it is now harder to argue that the board could easily fire him if it needed to.

Nonetheless, he said he still believes it is important that no single person has total control over the company or the technology it creates.

I continue to not want super-voting control over OpenAI. I never have, he stated. Even after all this craziness, I still dont want it. I continue to think that no company should be making these decisions and that we really need governments to put rules of the road in place.

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OpenAI's Sam Altman Weighs In on AI Risks and His Current Stance on AGI Fears - CCN.com