OpenAI chief accused of ‘blackmail’ in EU dispute
Malay Mail
Remarks to reporters in London during a world tour (Time reported them first)
“If we can comply, we will, and if we can't, we'll cease operating”
Sam Altmanreported 24 May 2023- What you'll lose2/5
Europe could lose ChatGPT if the rules do not suit him.
- Condescension2/5
Comply with us or we leave, said to a continent of 450 million.
- Tone-deafness3/5
Read as an ultimatum to lawmakers; walked back within a day.
- Doom0/5
No catastrophe, just a departure.
- Hypocrisy4/5
Asked the US Senate to regulate AI eight days earlier.
Full time11 pitchforksof a possible 25
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The occasion
Remarks to reporters in London during a world tour (Time reported them first), reported 24 May 2023.
Context
Altman said the draft EU AI Act would over-regulate and that OpenAI might stop operating in Europe if it could not comply. Within a day he posted that OpenAI had no plans to leave.
Crowd reaction
Widespread criticism
EU internal market commissioner Thierry Breton tweeted 'There is no point in attempting blackmail', and Altman walked the remark back the next day.