OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently expressed his stance on the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI), advocating for the establishment of an international agency to oversee the most powerful AI systems. Altman emphasized the need for such regulation due to the potential global impact of advanced AI technologies.

During an episode of the All-In podcast, Altman highlighted his concerns about the future capabilities of frontier AI systems, warning that they could pose significant risks on a global scale. He proposed the creation of an international agency dedicated to monitoring and ensuring the safety of these advanced AI systems.

Altman drew parallels between regulating AI and the oversight of other complex technologies, such as airplanes, pointing out the necessity of a robust safety testing framework. He stressed the importance of finding the right balance in regulatory measures, cautioning against both excessive regulations and insufficient oversight.

While various legislative efforts are already underway to regulate AI, including the EU’s approval of the Artificial Intelligence Act and President Joe Biden’s executive order on AI transparency, Altman believes that an international agency would offer greater adaptability in responding to the rapid evolution of AI technologies.

Altman expressed concerns about the limitations of traditional legislative approaches in keeping pace with the dynamic nature of AI development. He argued that an agency-based regulatory framework could provide the necessary flexibility to address emerging challenges and ensure the safety of advanced AI systems.

As the AI regulatory landscape continues to evolve, Altman’s advocacy for an international agency to oversee AI safety reflects the growing recognition of the need for comprehensive and adaptive regulatory frameworks in the field of artificial intelligence.