OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to testify before Congress

Washington CNN

According to a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is scheduled to testify in front of Congress on Tuesday. Lawmakers are increasingly scrutinizing the risks and benefits associated with artificial intelligence.

Altman will be questioned by lawmakers for the first since OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot captured the world's attention late last year.

The revolutionary generative AI tool led to an influx of new investments in AI. This prompted a scramble by US policymakers, who called for regulation and guardrails amid fears about AI's misuse.

Christina Montgomery, IBM’s Vice President and Chief Privacy and Trust Officer, will also testify Tuesday, as will Gary Marcus, former New York University Professor and self-described AI 'hype' critic.

Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, the Democratic senator who chairs the Senate committee on privacy and technology, said that artificial intelligence needs urgently rules and safeguards in order to deal with its enormous promise and potential pitfalls. This hearing is the beginning of our Subcommittee’s work to oversee and illuminate AI’s powerful technology and advanced algorithms.

He said: "I am looking forward to working with colleagues as we explore reasonable standards and principles that will help us navigate through this uncharted terrain."