Sam Altman warns of risks, says AI worth it
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| Source: The Verge | Original article
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says the benefits of AI outweigh potential harms, acknowledging that hacks, scams and other negative impacts are inevitable.
OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has reiterated that the upside of artificial intelligence outweighs its downsides, arguing that society must tolerate “some bad things” as the technology matures. Speaking in a recent interview, Altman cited hacks, scams and other emerging harms as inevitable costs, but insisted that the gains – from productivity boosts to scientific breakthroughs – are “orders of magnitude” larger.
The comment comes amid a wave of scrutiny over AI‑related risks. Just days earlier, we reported that legal exposure is mounting for Altman after OpenAI disclosed a series of security breaches, and that the International Women’s Forum flagged a sharp rise in AI‑generated child‑sexual‑abuse material. Altman’s framing therefore sits at the centre of a growing debate over how much harm should be accepted in exchange for AI’s promise.
Why it matters is twofold. First, the CEO’s stance signals resistance to tighter regulatory proposals that aim to curb the very harms he describes. Second, it underscores a strategic calculus within the industry: that rapid deployment and innovation are worth the collateral damage, a view that could shape investment, policy and public perception for years to come.
What to watch next are the reactions from policymakers and civil‑society groups. Expect intensified calls for clearer accountability frameworks, especially as lawmakers grapple with the balance between fostering AI advancement and protecting users from fraud, data breaches and illicit content. Altman’s remarks also set the stage for OpenAI’s upcoming product rollouts, which will test whether the promised benefits can indeed offset the “bad things” he acknowledges.
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