In a video call at the World Government Summit in Dubai, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, expressed his concerns about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). Altman highlighted the "very subtle societal misalignments" that could lead to havoc caused by AI systems. He emphasized the need for an oversight body, similar to the International Atomic Energy Agency, to regulate the rapidly advancing field of AI.

Altman clarified that he is not primarily concerned about the popularized notion of killer robots roaming the streets. Instead, he is more interested in the unintended consequences that could arise from the deployment of AI systems in society. Altman believes that even with the best intentions, these systems can go horribly wrong due to societal misalignments.

While Altman acknowledged the importance of discussions and conferences surrounding AI regulations, he stressed that the AI industry should not be solely responsible for setting these rules. He called for a global action plan with widespread support to be developed in the coming years.

OpenAI, a San Francisco-based AI startup, is a prominent player in the field, with Microsoft investing $1 billion in the company. OpenAI has also partnered with The Associated Press to access its news archive. However, OpenAI and Microsoft are facing legal action from The New York Times for allegedly using its stories without permission to train OpenAI's chatbots.

The UAE, known for its strict control over speech, poses risks for the development and deployment of AI. The country's restrictions on information flow impact the accuracy of data that AI programs rely on. Additionally, the UAE hosts G42, a powerful AI firm overseen by the national security adviser. G42 has faced accusations of spying and gathering genetic material for the Chinese government. The company has stated its intention to sever ties with Chinese suppliers due to concerns raised by the US.

During the discussion moderated by UAE's Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Omar al-Olama, local concerns about AI were not addressed. Altman, however, expressed his optimism about the integration of AI in schools, noting that teachers who initially feared students using AI for academic purposes now recognize its importance for the future. Altman compared the current state of AI technology to the early days of black-and-white cellphones and predicted significant advancements in the next few years, with remarkable progress expected within a decade.