OpenAI Could Leave EU If Regulations Bite, Says CEO Sam Altman

Last Update: May 25, 2023, 06:28 AM IST

Speaking before Congress for the first time, OpenAI CEO Altman previously suggested that the US should consider licensing and testing requirements for AI model development. (Image: Reuters)

The European Union is working on what could be the first set of rules globally to govern AI

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said on Wednesday that the ChatGPT maker may consider leaving Europe if it cannot comply with upcoming artificial intelligence (AI) regulations by the European Union.

The European Union is working on what could be the first set of rules to govern AI globally. As part of the draft, companies deploying generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, must disclose any copyrighted material used to develop their systems.

Before considering pulling out, Altman said at an event in London, OpenAI will try to comply with the rules in Europe.

“The current draft of the EU AI Act would be over-regulation, but we hear it will be pulled back,” he told Reuters. “They’re still talking about it.”

EU lawmakers reached a consensus on the draft act earlier this month. It will now be discussed between the representatives of Parliament, the Council and the Commission on the final details of the bill.

“They can do a lot like changing the definition of general purpose AI systems,” Altman said. “Many things can be done.”

A general-purpose AI system is a category proposed by lawmakers for AI tools with more than one application, such as generative AI models such as the Microsoft-backed ChatGPT.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – reuters,