Sam Altman, the Chief Executive Officer of OpenAI, met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to discuss the importance of global regulation in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Altman, who is currently on a six-nation tour, highlighted the opportunities in AI for India and emphasized the need for regulations to mitigate potential risks associated with the technology.
Altman mentioned that OpenAI has implemented self-regulation measures, investing significant time and effort to ensure the safety of its AI models. They have collaborated with organizations to determine appropriate limits and conducted extensive testing. However, Altman emphasized the importance of coordination and highlighted that self-regulation should not be solely left to companies.
Regarding his plans for India, Altman expressed his intention to fund startups, acknowledging the high quality of Indian startups and their potential. Given India’s strong IT industry and abundant data resources, there is significant potential for AI-based applications in the country, although AI is still in its early stages of development.
Prime Minister Modi appreciated the conversation with Altman, recognizing the vast potential of AI in enhancing India’s tech ecosystem, particularly among the youth. He expressed openness to collaborations that could accelerate India’s digital transformation and empower its citizens.
According to NASSCOM data from February 2023, India currently employs approximately 416,000 AI professionals, with a projected growth rate of 20-25% for the sector. By 2035, AI is expected to contribute an additional $957 billion to India’s economy. While AI technologies have been adopted by many countries to improve service delivery and reduce human intervention, concerns about job displacement persist as the technology advances.