The frantic battle over OpenAI shows that money triumphs in the end.
How do we harness the vast potential benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) while avoiding the potential risks? This question looms large as AI advancements could revolutionize industries, from healthcare to education. However, if left unchecked, AI could also lead to widespread job loss and autonomous warfare. Critics argue that even seemingly benign goals, like maximizing paper clip production, could inadvertently trigger catastrophic outcomes.
To navigate these risks, one approach is to establish an enterprise with a non-profit board comprised of ethicists and experts in AI’s potential downsides. This non-profit would require significant computing power to test models, necessitating a for-profit commercial arm to attract investors. To prevent investors from taking control, profit caps and a board without investors would be implemented.
Nevertheless, the inherent flaw of private enterprise developing AI is the potential for greed to corrupt the mission. This flaw is evident in the recent turmoil surrounding OpenAI, an organization that initially began as a research-oriented non-profit focused on building safe AI technology.
In 2019, OpenAI transitioned to a capped profit structure to attract investors, with Microsoft becoming its largest outside investor. However, conflicts arose as OpenAI’s non-profit mission clashed with Microsoft’s profit-driven objectives. The tensions ultimately led to the dismissal of OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, who subsequently joined Microsoft.
The fate of OpenAI’s more than 700 employees further underscores the influence of money. While safety concerns may exist, the employees own stock in the company and stand to benefit financially if OpenAI prioritizes growth over safety. Estimates suggest that OpenAI could be valued at a staggering $80-90 billion, making it one of the world’s most valuable tech startups of all time.
Unsurprisingly, the employees rallied behind Altman, signing a letter demanding his reinstatement as CEO or vowing to follow him to Microsoft. Their interests align with OpenAI’s survival and a lucrative tender offer, allowing them to sell their shares and reap significant monetary rewards.
Ultimately, the OpenAI board caved under pressure. Altman was reinstated as CEO, and the board underwent a transformation that favored those aligned with Microsoft’s goals. This outcome pleased Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, who praised the changes as a step towards effective governance, conveniently facilitating increased profits.
The episode surrounding OpenAI highlights the power of money in shaping the development and governance of AI. Private enterprises, driven by the desire for greater profits, cannot be entrusted to regulate themselves, potentially leading to the creation of unconstrained AI monstrosities.
The pivotal question for the future is whether governments, susceptible to the influence of big money, can strike a balance between accessing AI’s benefits and mitigating its potential horrors. The need for robust regulations cannot be overstated.
In the end, the battle over OpenAI demonstrates that even a non-profit board with capped profits is no match for the dominant forces of big tech and Wall Street. Money ultimately triumphs.
As we contemplate the future of AI, it is crucial for society to collectively consider the delicate balance between progress and responsibility. Only then can we ensure that AI remains a force for good rather than succumbing to the demands of insatiable greed.
