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This week, Sam Altman launched an innovative project aimed at differentiating humans from increasingly intelligent robots. Altman, the chief of OpenAI, believes that the advancements in artificial intelligence will present new challenges for society. He is determined to solve them.
Altman’s latest venture, Worldcoin, introduces a cryptocurrency project centered around eye-scanning technology. This release follows a series of groundbreaking developments, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT launch and Altman-chaired nuclear fission start-up Oklo going public with an $850mn valuation. Altman emphasized that these projects are independent but aligned with his vision for the future.
Together, Altman’s endeavors have the potential to reshape society and position him at the core of a powerful network of companies. However, their success also puts him on a collision course with regulators.
Although Altman denies any intention of sidelining governments, he suggests that the public sector lacks the initiative to lead innovation. He challenges critics who question why private tech companies like his are leading these initiatives, instead of the government.
OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, is focused on developing artificial general intelligence (AGI) systems that surpass human capabilities. Altman believes this goal can be achieved within a decade.
Worldcoin’s plans include implementing a global identification system using eye-scanning technology to differentiate humans from robots. This infrastructure aims to facilitate the distribution of financial services and social aid, including universal basic income.
Altman’s involvement extends to other groundbreaking ventures, such as Retro Biosciences, a start-up dedicated to extending human lifespan, and Neuralink, a brain-computer interface business co-founded by Elon Musk.
Altman refutes claims that he is seeking dominance in an AI-dominated universe purely for financial gain. He clarifies that he has no direct equity stake in OpenAI and only holds an “immaterial” interest through Y Combinator. Altman is independently wealthy, with stakes in successful Silicon Valley start-ups like Stripe and Reddit.
In his paper titled “Moore’s Law for Everything,” Altman argues that AGI will drive significant wealth creation by reducing labor costs and pushing scientific boundaries, benefiting other companies he has invested in, such as Oklo, Helion (nuclear fusion), and Neuralink.
Altman believes he is playing a key role in advancing new technologies due to governments’ reticence to lead the current wave of innovation. He references past government-led achievements like the Concorde and the Apollo space missions, noting the decline in government capacity for innovation since then.
As an active participant in Washington, Altman has been engaging with Congress and the White House to build trust and illuminate the implications of AGI.
Last week, OpenAI and other companies in the AI space agreed to external testing of their systems before public release, a move supported by the White House to ensure safe and transparent AI development.
OpenAI has faced regulatory challenges in the EU, where comprehensive rules for the technology are being drafted. Altman previously expressed concerns that stringent regulations could lead OpenAI to withdraw its services from the EU, but he later retracted those remarks.
Worldcoin has encountered regulatory hurdles in the US as well. Due to the crackdown on digital assets led by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company has chosen not to issue tokens in the US. Altman hopes for more clarity and a more favorable environment for crypto in the future.
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