The head of one of the world’s largest pure-use AI developers says he too has had periods where breakthrough technology didn’t materialize.
One market leader says the adoption of artificial intelligence in Australia and around the world has not progressed as expected, but highlights the need for human connection.
Sam Altman, founder and CEO of OpenAI, which has been around for three and a half years, says that while there has been a lot of talk, the human element has proven to be more interesting.
And there were certainly situations where he didn’t want to use AI.
“Where I felt that threshold most strongly was when we tried to make it easier for AI to do messaging. Hey, write an email or a text message and use Slack instead,” he told business leaders at a conference in Sydney.
“And yet, even when I was letting them reply to messages, it felt shockingly impersonal to watch.
“This was a great example of how we really value people and really value our interactions with people.”
There is no “jobs apocalypse”
Mr Altman virtually joined the Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s first dedicated AI gathering on Tuesday, speaking specifically about the challenges and future of technology in Australia.
In a fireside conversation with bank president Matt Kamin, the billionaire said the issue of job losses due to AI is also playing out differently than expected so far.
“I use it a lot, so I think my biggest concern right now is what it takes to incorporate this into people’s lives and businesses, to get the acceleration it deserves,” he said.
“But I don’t think we’re going to see the kind of job apocalypse that some companies in our sector are advocating and talking about.
“I thought…by now the elimination of entry-level white-collar jobs would have had a bigger impact.”
Kamin then told the conference that he did notice an increase in uncertainty and anxiety across CBA personnel who are being trained in AI applications.
“There are … very understandable concerns when it comes to this technology,” he said, adding that leaders need to be transparent and communicate about what they are doing.
“There are economic opportunities for Australia… but some of these issues need to be balanced and there are some elements that need to be resolved,” he said.
Australia as the “data center capital of the world”
Mr Altman agrees there is an opportunity for AI in Australia, particularly in data centers driving energy-intensive technologies.
“Australia has some of the best natural resources and a rich clean energy story in the world,” he said.
“And if Australia wants to become the data center capital of the world, we can be.
“In fact…in terms of potential, it’s probably one of the few in the world.”
Mr Altman said Australia’s other advantages included stable institutions, an “excellent” national security structure and strong economic and geopolitical partnerships.
Still, the revenue elephant in the room remains.
AI is siphoning off huge amounts of capital, leading investment markets to wonder whether valuations are too high given the likely long-term returns.
When it comes to AI predictions, OpenAI is “mostly accurate” when it comes to technology, but “fairly wrong” when it comes to social and economic impact.
“In the last few months, maybe even in the last few years, companies are finally starting to implement AI…and many of these companies are spending huge amounts of money,” Altman said.
“The question is, where is that income coming from?
“My best answer to that is that it’s all still very new and it’s going to take a little bit more time to figure out.”
AAP
