Sam Altman to G7: Don't Cede AI Control to Tech Giants

OpenAI chief Sam Altman has urged G7 leaders not to surrender control over artificial intelligence to the companies that build it. He called on governments to set global standards for the rapidly advancing technology. Altman told leaders at the G7 summit that they should not "cede your responsibilities to AI labs like mine." He emphasized that technologists have special knowledge about AI but lack special wisdom about humanity. He believes the question of AI's usefulness is settled, and within a year or two, systems of "astonishing power" could reshape human life on a scale unmatched since electricity. This comes as the U.S. and Europe disagree on AI control. The EU has passed strict rules for risky AI systems, while the U.S. has rolled back regulations to speed up innovation. Altman stressed that OpenAI, an American company, would follow U.S. law but recognized the sovereignty of democratic nations. This discussion highlights the global challenge of governing powerful new technologies.