Asking GPT-4o: Do you agree that OpenAI gave away the entire game?

Asking ChatGPT-4o: Please read the article “OpenAI Just Gave Away the Entire Game” and provide me with your views as to whether indeed OpenAI gave away the entire game. Explain what it did and is doing wrong, how the company should change and whether the cause of the problems at hand can even be changed and if so, how?

ChatGPT-4o’s answer:
Analysis of OpenAI's Actions and Ethical Implications

Overview of the Situation

The article "OpenAI Just Gave Away the Entire Game" by Charlie Warzel discusses the controversy surrounding OpenAI's use of a voice for its AI assistant, Sky, which allegedly sounds strikingly similar to Scarlett Johansson's voice without her consent. This incident is emblematic of broader ethical issues in the field of AI, particularly concerning data usage, intellectual property rights, and the overarching philosophy driving these technologies.

Key Points of Contention

1. Unethical Data Use:

   • Voice Cloning Allegations: Johansson's team claimed that OpenAI used her voice without permission, which OpenAI denied but eventually took down out of respect for her. This act highlights a disregard for personal consent and intellectual property rights.

   • Data Scraping Without Consent: The broader issue of using data scraped from the internet without the consent of creators is a significant ethical breach. OpenAI, like other AI companies, has faced lawsuits for using copyrighted material without permission, emphasizing a systemic problem in the AI industry.

2. Philosophical Underpinnings:

   • Manifest Destiny Approach: The article argues that OpenAI operates under a "manifest destiny" philosophy, pushing forward with AI development regardless of ethical or societal concerns. This is driven by a belief in the transformative potential of AI to revolutionize productivity and human life.

   • Geopolitical Justification: Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, frames the rapid AI development as a geopolitical race, suggesting that liberal-democratic countries need to outpace authoritarian regimes like China. This justification is used to argue for less regulatory oversight and faster development.

3. Ethical and Social Concerns:

   • Job Displacement: OpenAI employees have acknowledged the unfairness in the potential job losses due to AI but argue that the resulting wealth could be redistributed. However, there is skepticism about whether this wealth will be equitably shared.

   • Paternalistic Attitude: The company’s approach is described as paternalistic and rationalist, where a small group of individuals decides the direction of AI development, potentially disregarding wider societal input and concerns.

Recommendations for Change

1. Ethical Framework and Consent:

   • Strengthen Consent Mechanisms: OpenAI should prioritize obtaining explicit consent from individuals and organizations whose data they use. This includes transparent licensing agreements and fair compensation for creators.

   • Robust Ethical Guidelines: Establish and adhere to a comprehensive ethical framework that respects intellectual property rights and personal data.

2. Regulatory Compliance and Collaboration:

   • Engage with Regulators: Work closely with governmental and international regulatory bodies to develop and follow regulations that protect public interest without stifling innovation.

   • Public Involvement and Transparency: Increase transparency in AI development processes and actively involve public and expert stakeholders in decision-making to ensure broader societal alignment and acceptance.

3. Balancing Innovation and Responsibility:

   • Responsible AI Development: Shift focus from rapid, unchecked development to responsible innovation that considers long-term societal impacts, including ethical, legal, and economic factors.

   • Distribution of AI Benefits: Develop strategies to ensure that the benefits of AI, such as increased productivity and wealth, are distributed more equitably across society.

Conclusion

The current approach of OpenAI, as depicted in the article, raises significant ethical and societal concerns. While the company's ambitions to advance AI technology are laudable, the methods and attitudes underlying these efforts need significant adjustment. By implementing stronger ethical practices, engaging in meaningful regulatory collaboration, and ensuring a more equitable distribution of AI's benefits, OpenAI can work towards a future where technological progress and societal well-being are harmoniously aligned. The issues at hand are not beyond rectification, but they require a shift in mindset and operational practices to address effectively.

Putting forward the same question to Claude, here is its response.

Claude’s answer:
Based on the article, it seems that OpenAI has taken an overly aggressive and entitled approach in its pursuit of developing artificial general intelligence (AGI). The key issues highlighted in the article are:

1. Lack of consent and respect for intellectual property rights: The article alleges that OpenAI used Scarlett Johansson's voice without her consent to create an AI assistant's voice that sounded eerily similar to hers. This disregard for consent and intellectual property rights is also evident in the company's scraping of data from the internet to train its AI models, often without permission from creators or copyright owners.

2. Manifest destiny mindset: The article portrays OpenAI as having a "manifest destiny" philosophy, where the company believes it has the right to plow ahead with its AGI development, disregarding existing rules and norms because the technology is deemed too important and world-changing. This mindset is exemplified by statements from OpenAI employees suggesting that their work will render jobs obsolete, but people have no choice but to accept it.

3. Lack of transparency and accountability: The article criticizes OpenAI for being evasive and prevaricating when asked about the provenance of their training data, suggesting a lack of transparency and accountability.

To address these issues, OpenAI should:

1. Respect intellectual property rights and obtain proper consent: OpenAI should establish clear guidelines and mechanisms for obtaining consent from individuals and organizations whose data or intellectual property they intend to use. They should also be transparent about their data sources and usage.

2. Embrace ethical and responsible development: OpenAI should adopt a more ethical and responsible approach to AGI development, considering the broader societal implications and impacts of their work. This may involve slowing down their pace of development to allow for proper deliberation, regulation, and public input.

3. Foster transparency and accountability: OpenAI should be more transparent about their practices, decision-making processes, and the potential risks and benefits of their technology. They should also be accountable to external oversight and regulation, ensuring that their work is subject to scrutiny and necessary checks and balances.

Ultimately, the cause of the problems highlighted in the article stems from a combination of factors, including the drive for technological advancement at all costs, a lack of clear ethical guidelines and governance frameworks, and a sense of exceptionalism among AI companies like OpenAI.

Changing this mindset and course of action will require a significant cultural shift within the AI industry, as well as robust regulation and oversight from governments and international bodies. It may also necessitate a broader public dialogue and engagement to ensure that the development of AGI is aligned with societal values and interests.

While the challenges are significant, addressing these issues is crucial to ensure that the development of AGI and other transformative technologies proceeds in a responsible, ethical, and democratically accountable manner, rather than being driven by the unchecked ambitions of a small group of actors.