On Wednesday, the queue to see OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speak at University College London extended far into the street. People eagerly waited, with anticipation, talking about their experience with OpenAI’s chatbot, ChatGPT. At the same time, a small group of protesters sent out a powerful cautionary message outside the entrance doors- companies like OpenAI need to pause developing advanced AI systems prior to them inducing any potential harm to humankind.
OpenAI is a renowned Artificial Intelligence research laboratory and software development company founded in 2015. Its mission is to create ‘safe and beneficial artificial intelligence systems that advance humanity.’ It has several services, ranging from paid private offerings to free services for researchers worldwide. OpenAI has become a leader in the field as it continues pushing the boundaries of AI technologies, producing some of the most groundbreaking technologies ever seen.
Sam Altman is the current CEO of OpenAI, who has been in this position since 2017. Before that, he was the president of Y Combinator and an advisor to the startup accelerator, Startup School. Altman has savvy business acumen and extensive knowledge in the Artificial Intelligence industry. His ability to quickly recognize the potential of emerging technologies make him an evangelist for the value of Artificial Intelligence in the worlds of engineering, investment, and social impact.
