OpenAI CEO Assures Davos Forum Humans Will Remain in Control of AI
Sam Altman tells the World Economic Forum that artificial intelligence serves as a helpful tool rather than a replacement for human decision-making. Tech leaders emphasize that AI currently augments workers instead of eliminating their roles.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman tells the World Economic Forum in Davos that human beings continue to decide what happens in the world despite the rise of artificial intelligence. He describes AI as a system that is sometimes right and creative, but often totally wrong, making it unsuitable for life-and-death situations like driving a car. Instead, he sees the technology as a useful tool for brainstorming and writing code that humans still need to check.
Altman expresses an optimistic view of generative AI, noting that people figure out how to use the technology to increase productivity while learning what not to use it for. He explains that AI provides better tools and greater capabilities, but humans remain very focused on each other. This discussion takes place as AI dominates this year's Davos gathering, with the International Monetary Fund predicting the technology affects almost 40% of global jobs.
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff joins Altman on the panel to echo this optimistic perspective, arguing that AI currently augments human workers rather than replacing them. Benioff points to a Gucci call center in Milan where productivity and revenue surge after employees start using Salesforce's AI software. Both tech leaders stress that while the technology offers significant potential, human oversight remains essential.