Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI and chair of Tools for Humanity, has put forth a bold vision regarding the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) models on socioeconomics. In a recent interview on the All-In podcast, Altman proposed a paradigm shift wherein “compute” becomes a valuable resource that could replace traditional monetary income as a means of providing a universal basic income (UBI).
During the interview, Altman delved into the dangers posed by AI and how society would handle threats ranging from AI-induced human extinction to job displacement. While Altman acknowledged that AI models could eventually pose significant risks, he suggested the establishment of a global oversight board to regulate major projects, allowing startups to thrive without being hindered by restrictive regulations.
Altman reassured the All-In team that GPT-4, OpenAI’s cutting-edge production model, does not pose a significant threat to human lives. However, he emphasized his support for UBI as a solution to the potential job crisis caused by advancements in AI. Altman is a well-known advocate for UBI and also leads Tools for Humanity, a company that offers the Worldcoin cryptocurrency and identity verification platform. Worldcoin is distributed to individuals who verify their humanity, and holders receive a monthly token stipend.
During the interview, Altman criticized government poverty assistance programs as ineffective and called for a simpler and more respectful approach to UBI. He acknowledged that providing money alone cannot solve all problems or guarantee happiness, but he believes it could address some issues and provide individuals with a brighter outlook to help themselves.
Altman’s support for UBI stems from the realization, back in 2016 when he and his colleagues began taking AI seriously, that it could have far-reaching consequences. Through studies, they discovered the potential of UBI as a promising solution. Altman now suggests that the UBI paradigm itself may be ripe for disruption.
In related news, there are reports that Apple is finalizing a deal with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into iPhones.