OpenAI CEO foresees Israel’s crucial role in AI risk mitigation

• Sam Altman visits the Middle Eastern country and commends its approach to AI regulation safeguards

Israel — OpenAI CEO Sam Altman predicted on Monday a “huge role” for Israel in reducing risks from artificial intelligence (AI) even as the country debates whether and how to regulate the technology behind ChatGPT.

He is one of the tech world’s most prominent voices urging governments to rapidly come up with regulations to make sure AI is used responsibly.

After criss-crossing Europe in May, meeting legislators and national leaders to discuss the prospects and threats of AI, Altman now plans to travel to Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, India and South Korea — all this week.

He is now in Israel, which a Stanford University study ranks among the top five countries for significant machine learning systems and concentration of AI skills.

“I have been very heartened as I have been doing this trip around the world, getting to meet world leaders, in seeing the thoughtfulness, the focus and the urgency on figuring out how we mitigate these very huge risks,” Altman said during a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. “The energy on making use of the technology and its positive benefits is fantastic to see, and I am sure Israel will play a huge role.”

The rapid development and popularity of generative AI since OpenAI launched ChatGPT in 2022 is spurring global legislators to formulate laws to address safety concerns linked to the technology.

The EU is striding ahead with its draft AI Act, which is expected to become law later in 2023, while the US is leaning towards adapting existing laws for AI rather than creating new laws.

Britain also wants to avoid heavy-handed legislation that could stifle innovation.

“Israel — like Britain, and to a great extent like Canada, too — is at the US end of the spectrum,” said Ziv Katzir, director of national AI planning at the Israel Innovation Authority.

“It has been working on this matter for the last 18 months or so, with a view to achieving the right balance between innovation and the preservation of human rights and civic safeguards.”

Israel published a 115-page draft AI policy in October and is collating public feedback ahead of a final decision.