A group of US Senators recently sent a detailed letter to OpenAI CEO and co-founder Sam Altman, requesting transparency on the company’s safety measures and employment practices. The joint letter, signed by Senators Brian Schatz, Ben Ray Luján, Peter Welch, Mark R. Warner, and Angus S. King, Jr., set an Aug. 13 deadline for OpenAI to provide a comprehensive response addressing the concerns raised in the letter.
The Senators emphasized the need for transparency in the deployment and governance of artificial intelligence (AI) systems, citing issues of national security and public trust. They specifically inquired about OpenAI’s commitment to allocate 20% of its computing resources to AI safety research, enforcement of non-disparagement agreements, cybersecurity protocols, protections for whistleblowers, and independent evaluations of AI systems.
Furthermore, the Senators highlighted the critical role of AI in the nation’s economic and geopolitical standing, emphasizing the importance of safe and secure AI for maintaining competitiveness and protecting critical infrastructure. They urged OpenAI to provide documentation on how it plans to meet its voluntary commitments to the Biden-Harris administration.
The letter from the lawmakers underscores the growing legislative scrutiny on AI technologies and their societal impacts. It calls for responsible AI development with high standards of safety, security, and public accountability. The Senators referenced various sources and reports detailing OpenAI’s challenges and commitments, setting the stage for their inquiries.
In a time when AI technologies are increasingly prevalent and influential, ensuring the integrity and reliability of AI systems is crucial for national security and public trust. The Senators’ call for transparency and accountability from OpenAI reflects the need for ethical and responsible development in the field of artificial intelligence.