OpenAI May Leave the EU If Regulations Bite: ChatGPT Founder Sam Altman

The European Union (EU) is working on the first set of regulations for formulating AI and ChatGPT founder Sam Altman says if the company fails to comply with these regulations, OpenAI might leave Europe.

Sam Altman has been frequently in the news for the past months over his urging statements to draw rules for regulating AI developments. However, the ChatGPT founder has recently expressed his opinion on the European Union’s AI regulations draft and said that the company may have to move out of Europe if stands unsuccessful in complying with the EU regulations.

“If we can comply, we will, and if we can’t, we will cease operating…we will try. But there are technical limits to what’s possible.”- Altman said during a panel discussion at the University College London.

Sam Altman has been meeting up with top politicians to discuss the potential risks and future of the AI urging them to govern AI development and introduce regulations for the same. His statements regarding the EU regulations have definitely come across as quite contradictory.

Sam Altman’s statement: “The current draft of the EU AI Act would be over-regulating, but we have heard it’s going to get pulled back” has angered the EU officials and several authorities even reverted to his claims.

The European Parliament member, Dragos Tudorache, reverted to ChatGPT founder’s words saying, “I don’t see any dilution happening anytime soon. We are nevertheless happy to invite Mr. Altman to Parliament so he can voice his concerns and hear European lawmakers’ thoughts on these issues.”

Dragos is currently leading the drafting of the EU proposals. Thierry Breton, the EU industry chief also slammed Altman’s threat stating that the draft rules won’t be negotiated.

As per the new proposals added to the EU AI regulations draft, the tech companies who are establishing the Generative AI tools (like ChatGPT) will be required to unveil any copyrighted materials used in the development of the AI system.

Kim van Sparrentak, another expert who has contributed to the AI law draft also expressed “If OpenAI can’t comply with basic data governance, transparency, safety, and security requirements, then their systems aren’t fit for the European market.” She also reinforced that neither she nor her colleagues should get “blackmailed” by such American companies.

ChatGPT has been a concern ever since the AI tool has been launched. ChatGPT got into disputes earlier as well when the Italy-based data regulator Garante eventually banned the application in the country over privacy issues that go against European privacy regulations.