OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has distanced himself from the 'magic intelligence in the sky' metaphor, calling it a safety concern. He said it makes him 'very uncomfortable' when people 'ascribe religious force or a surrender of human judgment to AI models,' describing this as a 'real safety issue.'
Altman previously described OpenAI's goal as building 'magic intelligence in the sky' in 2023 and 2024, expressing hope to be 'on God's side' and feeling 'on the side of the angels' working on AI. This language has now shifted, reflecting a more grounded approach to AI development.
The company has also engaged with religious leaders, as highlighted in a recent New York Times report on Anthropic's outreach. Altman has emphasized the goal of creating AI as advanced as the sci-fi film 'Her,' which features a deeply humanized AI companion. This approach focuses on humanization rather than ascribing consciousness or religious meaning to the models.
"It makes me very uncomfortable when people ascribe religious force or a surrender of human judgment to AI models," said Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. He added that this kind of language is a 'real safety issue' that needs careful consideration.
The announcement follows a detailed New York Times report on Anthropic's outreach to religious leaders and a statement from Pope Leo XIV that 'algorithms lack the spark of humanity.' Altman's comments suggest a growing awareness of the ethical and safety implications of AI development.
OpenAI did not specify the exact nature of its current AI development goals, and the company remains cautious about the spiritual implications of its work. The focus now appears to be on practical, human-centered AI rather than metaphorical or religious aspirations.
Source: thedecoder
