Sam Altman of OpenAI says the world can be afraid but must trust AI firms
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| Source: Mastodon | Original article
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledges the public’s fear of AI but urges people to trust AI companies.
OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman told attendees at Dreamforce that the public’s unease about artificial‑intelligence is justified, but that the industry should be given the benefit of the doubt. “The world is right to be afraid,” Altman said, adding that people need to trust AI firms to develop the technology safely as regulatory discussions intensify.
Altman’s remarks come amid a wave of high‑profile warnings from researchers and calls for a slowdown in AI development. The CEO’s appeal for confidence in OpenAI and its peers is meant to counter narratives that a handful of companies could wield unchecked power. By positioning safety as a core responsibility, OpenAI hopes to shape forthcoming policy and stave off more draconian measures that could hamper innovation.
The statement is significant because it signals OpenAI’s willingness to engage directly with regulators and the broader public at a time when governments in Europe and the United States are drafting AI‑specific legislation. It also underscores the tension between rapid product roll‑outs and the growing demand for robust safeguards—a theme we highlighted in our September 16 coverage of OpenAI and Anthropic courting U.S. oversight to avoid “too big to fail” scenarios.
What to watch next: legislative proposals in the EU AI Act and U.S. congressional hearings are expected to gain momentum in the coming weeks. Industry peers will likely echo or challenge Altman’s call for trust, while watchdog groups may push for stricter oversight. The balance between speed, safety and public confidence will shape the next phase of AI development.
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