XiaoYuehai

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THIS past Friday, shockwaves reverberated through the tech world as OpenAI’s board made the unexpected decision to dismiss its founding CEO Sam Altman.

One possible reason behind Altman’s dismissal concerns the newly released features of build-your-own ChatGPT.

“Anyone can easily build their own GPT — no coding is required,” OpenAI said in its Nov. 6 blog post. A user can create their own versions of GPT by starting a conversation, giving it instructions and extra knowledge, and telling it what it can do, such as searching the web, making images or analyzing data.

Such AI chatbots, however, are not just people’s perfect toys, but may pose potential harm as well. For instance, one that gives wrong medical or tax advice may lead to severe real-life consequences if other users act on the incorrect advice.

OpenAI also plans to allow creators to share their custom chatbots with the public through the “GPT Store.” Essentially, this will be OpenAI’s version of an app store where verified builders will be able to upload their chatbots and make them available for other users to download. Over the coming months, builders will also be able to earn money based on how many people use their chatbots, OpenAI said.

Altman has apparently deviated from OpenAI’s original mission as a non-profit organization, whose primary goal is to ensure that artificial general intelligence (AGI) benefits all of humanity. OpenAI’s board directors do not have the responsibility of maximizing value for shareholders, as most corporate boards do, but are instead bound to a fiduciary duty to create a “safe AGI that is broadly beneficial.” At least two of the board members, Tasha McCauley and Helen Toner, have ties to the Effective Altruism movement, a utilitarian-inspired group that has pushed for AI safety research and raised alarms that a powerful AI system could one day lead to human extinction.

Following his dismissal, Altman hinted that he will start a new firm with those from OpenAI who have quit or will follow after him. To add to the confusion over the future of one of the world’s most potentially valuable tech firms, a report by the Verge on Saturday night claimed that the OpenAI board was having discussions with Altman about returning as CEO, just a day after he was ousted.

OpenAI’s melodrama highlights the challenges faced by players in the rapidly evolving field of AI. First, there is the breakneck competition, with all major tech firms joining the arena and new startups popping up quickly. Then, there are the safety and ethical concerns, which are more fundamental to the legitimacy of this industry.

To make sure that AI works to benefit humans instead of causing confusion and damage, professionals need to reach consensuses on regulatory frameworks that address critical security concerns and ethical issues. One good example is the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which aims to protect personal information from misuse or unauthorized access.

Companies also need to act in a cautious way, conducting thorough impact assessments before deploying AI systems or rolling out new features. OpenAI’s leadership shakeup serves as a wakeup call for the industry to take active measures, navigate the challenges, and develop AI in a responsible way to benefit humanity.

(The author is a professor with Hunan Normal University. His students He Jingyi and Zhang Tianyu have contributed to the writing of this essay.)