NEW DELHI: The future of AI will be shaped by the struggle between “democratic AI” and “authoritarian AI,” Chris Lehane, chief global affairs officer at OpenAI, argued on Friday, as how nations govern technology will determine whether individuals are empowered or state control is entrenched.Lehane told TOI that he sees cracks in the intensifying strategic competition between the US and China, and that large democracies, especially India, will play a decisive role. He described “democratic AI” as a system that is “open, transparent, and subject to the rule of law” and serves as “a tool for individuals to expand their capabilities and learn, think, build, create, and produce.” In contrast, AI developed in “authoritarian systems” is “designed to strengthen central power, authoritarian governments” rather than empower individuals.He suggested that governance is central to competition. Quoting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statement that whoever takes the lead in AI will “win the world,” Lehane argued that the values embedded in AI systems will shape the emerging world order.He said new rules are inevitable for general-purpose technology when it comes to surveillance. The US and UK have established AI safety institutes, and India is exploring a similar approach. Asked if OpenAI would support audits of its advanced systems, Lehane said the company is subject to transparency requirements under the safety frameworks of US states such as California and New York, and is working with safety agencies in the US and UK. He distinguished between transparency and disclosure of confidential information, and noted concerns regarding the protection of intellectual property. Baseline safety standards can be developed jointly, but countries should retain the ability to deploy AI to suit their social context, he said. For India, the stakes are high.
