In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, urged President-elect Donald Trump to focus on domestic investments to enhance the United States' leadership in artificial intelligence (AI). Altman’s call to action comes as Trump prepares to take office on January 20, 2024. He expressed concerns over the challenges of building infrastructure in the U.S., highlighting the complexities involved in establishing power plants and data centres. Altman stated, "The thing I really deeply agree with the president on is, it is wild how difficult it has become to build things in the United States."
The emphasis on AI has become a central theme in Trump's agenda, particularly following his victory in the 2024 election. He has announced plans to repeal an executive order initiated by former President Joe Biden that aimed to establish ethical standards for AI usage. Trump argued that the order imposed restrictions he viewed as detrimental to innovation in the tech sector, labelling it a "dangerous Executive Order that hinders AI Innovation".
In a notable development, Trump and Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son revealed a substantial $100 billion investment from SoftBank into U.S. AI initiatives during his administration, a move expected to generate 100,000 new jobs. Trump has also appointed David Sacks as his "AI & Crypto Czar," identifying these sectors as crucial for future American competitiveness. Leading figures in the tech arena, including Elon Musk, who co-founded OpenAI with Altman, will play advisory roles in shaping AI policy.
While Altman has publicly expressed admiration for Musk, their relationship has been complicated by ongoing legal disputes surrounding various business practices and ethical concerns within the tech sector. Despite these tensions, Altman has committed financial support to Trump's campaign, contributing $1 million to the president-elect’s inaugural fund and endorsing his efforts to maintain U.S. leadership in AI.
The discourse surrounding AI development is underscored by a sense of urgency, particularly in the context of global competition with countries like China. Jacob Helberg, recently appointed Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, remarked that the U.S. must pursue a robust agenda for AI dominance to secure its position on the world stage. The significance of AI is echoed by Musk, who cautioned about the potential risks associated with advancing AI technologies, stating during an AI safety summit that the emergence of AI presents unprecedented challenges that humanity must navigate.
Trump himself discussed the need for the U.S. to lead in AI development during his appearance on the Impaulsive podcast in June 2024. He referred to AI as a "superpower," noting its importance in the geopolitical landscape while acknowledging the difficulties it presents.
As the new administration prepares to take office, Altman has expressed his willingness to collaborate with Trump, highlighting the importance of getting developments in Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) right and stating, "this huge moment has got to transcend any political issues." The coming months will be pivotal in shaping America's approach to AI and its implications for businesses and the broader economy.
Source: Noah Wire Services