Sam Altman, co-founder of OpenAI and the driving force behind ChatGPT, captivated a full house at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) on May 25, 2023, during his only public event in Germany. Addressing a sold-out Audimax of 1,100 attendees, Altman discussed the meteoric rise of ChatGPT and explained why it isn’t open source. He emphasized ChatGPT’s natural language interface, which he believes provides an intuitive, human-centered interaction that surpasses even the touchscreen. Despite its popularity, Altman noted that ChatGPT is often misunderstood as a database, underscoring its complex design and evolving capabilities.
Under the probing questions of TUM Professor Reinhard Heckel and OpenAI developer Johannes Heidecke, Altman shed light on OpenAI’s approach to innovation. He explained OpenAI’s “show, don’t tell” philosophy, aiming to give people time to adapt to this technology as it advances. By making ChatGPT accessible early on, Altman hopes to foster a broader, more informed discussion on the role of AI. He pointed out that OpenAI’s decision to withhold the technology’s code stemmed from a need to understand its societal impact, maintaining that AI should evolve in tandem with the world’s readiness for it.
Touching on AI regulation, Altman endorsed the idea of an international framework, likening it to the oversight provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency. He dismissed calls to pause AI development, instead stressing the importance of learning from users worldwide to adapt ChatGPT across diverse cultures and legal systems. In a message to aspiring tech professionals, Altman assured that there’s never been a better time to start a career in tech, urging Europeans to embrace ambition and calculated risk-taking. The event, organized by TUM and Digital Life Design (DLD), was underscored by TUM President Thomas F. Hofmann, who spoke passionately about ensuring that humanity and self-determination guide the transformative power of AI.
For more information, check out the TUM School of Management website here.
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