In this article we will try to summarize the podcast that Lex Fridman and Sam Altman had on 28th March 2023.
In Brief: In the podcast, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman discusses the advancements and challenges of GPT-4, highlighting its safety improvements, potential risks, and societal impact. Altman also emphasizes the importance of public input, transparency, and ethical considerations in the development and deployment of AI technologies like GPT-4.
The transformative power of artificial intelligence continues to reshape our world, but with that power comes great responsibility. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, the company behind the AI language model GPT-4, cautions that this technology brings real dangers that must be addressed. He emphasizes the need for regulators, society, and the tech community to be vigilant in guarding against the potential negative consequences of AI.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_Guz73e6fw&t=85s
The video above is a podcast hosted by Lex Fridman and All rights belong to their respective owners.
Understanding the Risks
GPT-4, the latest version of OpenAI‘s language model, is part of a category of Artificial Intelligence applications known as ChatGPT. While it has become an immensely popular and powerful tool, it’s not without controversy. Sam Altman warns that as AI continues to evolve, the risks grow alongside its capabilities. “We’ve got to be careful here,” Altman remarked in a recent interview, adding, “I think people should be happy that we are a little bit scared of this”
CEO – Altman is particularly concerned about the potential misuse of Artificial Intelligent models for large-scale disinformation campaigns and offensive cyber-attacks. He points out that as Artificially Intelligent models like GPT-4 become increasingly adept at writing computer code, they could become tools for nefarious activities. Addressing these concerns will require the involvement of regulators, society, and developers to ensure that Artificial Intelligence is a force for good rather than harm.
A Pivotal Moment in AI Development
Despite the dangers, Altman believes that Artificial Intelligence has the potential to be “the greatest technology humanity has yet developed.” In fact, OpenAI has released GPT-4 less than four months since the original version was released, and it quickly became the fastest-growing consumer application in history. The model’s capabilities are remarkable it can write computer code in most programming languages, and it has even scored 90% on the US bar exams and a near-perfect score on high school SAT math tests.
However, concerns about consumer-facing Artificial Intelligence go beyond the model’s capabilities. Altman points out that AI only works under direction or input from humans, and it waits for someone to provide that input. This raises critical questions about who gets to control and direct Artificially Intelligent applications. While GPT-4 is a tool that is very much under human control, Altman emphasizes that it’s essential to be wary of who has that control.
Guarding Against a Dystopian Future
Obviously, Artificial Intelligence is becoming increasingly integrated into our daily lives, making it essential to take a proactive approach to managing the risks. Sam Altman emphasizes the need for society to take an active role in regulating AI to prevent misuse. “There will be other people who don’t care about the safety limits that we put on”, Altman cautions. As a result, society has a limited amount of time to figure out how to regulate and handle AI.
One of the challenges in regulating AI is understanding how it reasons. Altman acknowledges that the latest version of GPT-4 uses deductive reasoning rather than memorization, leading to what he calls the “hallucinations problem.” The model may confidently state things as if they were facts when they are entirely made up. He adds, “The right way to think of the models that we create is a reasoning engine, not a fact database.”
Elon Musk, UBI, and the Political-Economic Landscape
The podcast also explored Altman’s relationship with Elon Musk, OpenAI’s early supporter. While acknowledging Musk’s contributions to electric vehicles and space exploration, Altman addressed disagreements, particularly regarding AI safety and the alleged “wokeness” of GPT models.
Discussions on the economic and political implications of AI touched on Universal Basic Income (UBI) as a potential cushion for job displacement. Altman expressed support for UBI as a means to eliminate poverty and ensure that AI-induced changes don’t leave individuals without support.
Navigating the AI Revolution
As the world embarks on the journey of Artificial Intelligence transformation, it is essential to balance the incredible potential of AI with the need for ethical and responsible use. OpenAI, under the leadership of Sam Altman, is committed to developing powerful Artificially Intelligent models like GPT-4 while acknowledging the inherent risks. By fostering a culture of transparency, collaboration, and regulation, we can ensure that Artificially Intelligent serves as a force for positive change and progress.
As Artificial Intelligence continues to grow in sophistication, it will play an increasingly integral role in a wide range of industries and applications. For instance, ChatGPT, the alpha version of OpenAI’s GPT-4, has already demonstrated its ability to generate coherent and human-like text, enabling users to engage in dynamic interactions with the AI model. As such, it holds promise for applications in areas like customer service, content generation, code development, and more.
Nevertheless, the rapid pace of Artificial Intelligence advancement presents challenges, especially with regards to safety and ethics. Artificially Intelligent models like GPT-4 are capable of generating high-quality text that is virtually indistinguishable from human writing. This opens the door for potential misuse, such as generating fake news or propagating misinformation on a large scale. It is therefore essential for regulators, developers, and society as a whole to establish ethical guidelines and safety protocols for AI applications.
AI’s impact extends beyond text generation. The ability of GPT-4 to write computer code presents an opportunity to streamline and automate software development processes. For example, GPT-4’s code-writing capabilities could be leveraged by software developers to generate code snippets, improve code quality, and expedite project timelines. However, it also raises concerns about security, as AI-generated code could potentially introduce vulnerabilities or be used for malicious purposes.
In the midst of the Artificial Intelligent revolution, society faces critical questions regarding the control and direction of Artificially Intelligent applications. Who should have the authority to determine the goals and objectives of these models? How do we ensure that these models are deployed in a manner that aligns with societal values and ethical standards? These questions underscore the importance of transparency, accountability, and public engagement in AI development.
OpenAI is actively working to address these challenges by fostering an open and collaborative approach to AI research and development. By conducting expert-led assessments, engaging with external stakeholders, and actively seeking input from the broader public, OpenAI aims to ensure that these technologies are developed with the best interests of humanity in mind.
Conclusion
As Artificial Intelligence becomes more capable and influential, it is important to recognize that its trajectory will not be determined by technology alone. Instead, it will be shaped by the collective decisions and actions of individuals, organizations, and governments. By working collaboratively, we have the opportunity to navigate the AI revolution in a manner that maximizes its potential while minimizing its risks.
The future of it is both exciting and uncertain. GPT-4 and other models present unparalleled opportunities for innovation and progress, but they also bring forth ethical and safety considerations that must be thoughtfully addressed. As Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, aptly notes, “We’ve got to be careful here.” By adopting a forward-thinking and responsible approach to Artificial Intelligence development, we can chart a course toward a future where it is a powerful and positive force in our world.
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