OpenAI, one of the leading companies in the AI industry, has recently made headlines for various reasons. First, OpenAI launched discounted plans for nonprofits and educational customers, demonstrating their commitment to making AI accessible to a wider audience. They also addressed concerns about misuse of their AI tools by implementing measures to stop bad actors from abusing their technology.
However, OpenAI faced criticism when users pointed out that one of their AI-powered chatbot voices sounded eerily similar to Scarlett Johansson. While OpenAI claimed that any similarities were accidental, CEO Sam Altman’s attempt to reach out to Johansson two days before a demo featuring the voice raises suspicions. Johansson herself released a statement saying she had refused OpenAI’s requests to license her voice for the chatbot.
Another issue that has raised concerns about OpenAI is their trust and safety practices. The dissolution of their Superalignment team, responsible for governing and steering “superintelligent” AI systems, led to the resignation of key members, who cited promises of resources that were not fulfilled. Several safety experts have also left the company and voiced concerns that OpenAI prioritizes commercial projects over safety and transparency efforts.
In response to the criticism, OpenAI formed a new committee to oversee safety and security decisions. However, it is worth noting that the committee consists of company insiders rather than independent observers. Additionally, there are reports that OpenAI is considering abandoning its nonprofit structure in favor of a for-profit model, which further adds to the skepticism surrounding their intentions.
The credibility of OpenAI has been further called into question due to allegations against CEO Sam Altman. It was revealed that Altman had knowledge of policies that threatened employees with the loss of equity if they didn’t sign restrictive nondisclosure agreements, despite his claims of ignorance. Former board member Helen Toner accused Altman of withholding information, misrepresenting happenings at OpenAI, and even lying to the board.
These incidents raise concerns about OpenAI’s trustworthiness, especially considering the company’s growing power and influence in the AI industry. The fact that they have deals with news publishers further adds to the significance of these violations. It is crucial for a company with disruptive technologies like OpenAI to prioritize safety and transparency, as the consequences of misuse can be severe.
In other AI news, a report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate highlights how AI-powered voice cloning services make it easy to fake a politician’s statement. Google’s AI Overviews feature on Google Search has faced criticism for its subpar performance, although the company claims to be working on improvements. Elon Musk’s AI startup, xAI, has raised $6 billion in funding to compete aggressively with rivals like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Alphabet.
Other notable developments include AI startup Perplexity’s new capability, Perplexity Pages, which aims to enhance the visual appeal of reports and articles. Mistral, a French AI startup, has released its first generative AI model for coding called Codestral, although it has restrictive licensing terms. The European Union’s ChatGPT taskforce is addressing privacy compliance concerns related to AI chatbots. Voice cloning startup ElevenLabs has introduced a tool for generating sound effects through prompts. Finally, tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Intel have formed an industry group to develop next-gen AI chip components.
In conclusion, OpenAI’s recent controversies highlight the importance of trust and transparency in the AI industry. Companies must prioritize safety and address concerns about misuse and ethical implications. Additionally, developments in various AI startups and initiatives demonstrate the ongoing advancements and challenges in this rapidly evolving field.