Sam Altman thinks giving everyone ‘a slice of GPT’ could pay for UBI

As an analyst with a background in technology and economics, I find Sam Altman’s perspective on the potential socioeconomic implications of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) both insightful and thought-provoking. His experience as the CEO of OpenAI and the Chairperson of Tools for Humanity has given him a unique vantage point from which to observe and analyze these developments.

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI and the Chairperson of Tools for Humanity, posits that the advancements in modern artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to significantly reshape societal and economic structures.

In a recent interview on the All-In podcast, Altman proposed an innovative idea: instead of relying on monetary income to guarantee a universal basic income (UBI), we could consider “compute” as a valuable resource and asset.

As a researcher studying the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), I’ve discovered that during a recent interview, the conversation shifted towards potential risks and challenges associated with this technology. One topic of concern was the possibility of AI leading to human extinction. I asked Altman about his perspective on this issue, and he acknowledged that there might indeed come a time when AI models could possess capabilities significant enough to pose such threats.

A global regulatory body with sufficient authority to oversee major initiatives exists, allowing startups to progress without undue constraints from restrictive legislation.

“I think there will come a time, in the not super distant future … where the frontier AI systems are capable of causing significant global harm. And, for those kinds of systems … I would like to see some sort of international agency that is looking at the most powerful systems and ensuring reasonable safety testing.”

According to Altman, there’s no major danger to human lives presented by GPT-4, OpenAI’s advanced production model.

In terms of employment, Altman is a prominent supporter of Universal Basic Income (UBI). Beyond OpenAI, he leads Tools for Humanity, a company that produces the Worldcoin cryptocurrency and identity verification system. By verifying their humanity, individuals receive access to this cryptocurrency and subsequently receive a regular token payment.

As a dedicated crypto investor, I’ve had the opportunity to closely observe the ongoing debate surrounding Universal Basic Income (UBI). Speaking directly to the All-In team, I expressed my concerns over the effectiveness of current government poverty assistance programs. In my view, a more straightforward and respectful approach to UBI is the solution. Let us work together towards implementing a universal income system that truly empowers individuals and fosters financial stability for all.

“I’m not a super fan of how the government has handled most policies designed to help poor people, and I kind of believe that if you could just give people money they would make good decisions and the market would do its thing.”

He emphasized that handing out money isn’t a panacea for all issues, and it won’t guarantee happiness. However, he conceded that it could alleviate certain difficulties and provide individuals with new opportunities to improve their circumstances.

Back in 2016, when I and my team started giving serious consideration to the impact of AI, we recognized its potential for widespread consequences. Conducting subsequent research, we discovered that Universal Basic Income (UBI) was a promising solution.

Now, Altman believes that the UBI paradigm itself could be ripe for an upending:

“2016 was a very long time ago. … I wonder if the future looks something more like universal basic compute than universal basic income and everybody gets a slice of GPT-7’s compute and they can use it, they can resell it, they can donate it to somebody to use for cancer research.

2024-05-12 22:45

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