AI WireThe Verge
Sam Altman: Society should accept some AI harms as trade-off
AI's upside is so large that society should tolerate some harm along the way, according to The Verge. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reportedly argued that problems like hacks, scams, and "other bad things" are costs worth accepting, since AI will let people achieve far more than before. He framed these downsides as an unavoidable trade-off rather than reasons to slow down AI development. The comments add to an ongoing debate about how much risk is acceptable as AI tools become more powerful and widely used. Altman did not specify which harms are most urgent, but his remarks suggest OpenAI expects to keep pushing forward despite them.
Words to know
- OpenAI
- — The AI company that created ChatGPT, led by CEO Sam Altman.
- Hacks
- — Unauthorized break-ins into computer systems, often to steal data or cause harm.
- Scams
- — Deceptive schemes designed to trick people, often for money or information.
Summary written from The Verge's headline and teaser