Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT—and perhaps the most prominent figure shaping the future of artificial intelligence in the U.S.—joined the fourth annual Vanderbilt Summit on Modern Conflict and Emerging Threats for a wide-ranging virtual conversation on the national security challenges and opportunities posed by AI.
Altman attended virtually, appearing on an on-stage monitor alongside retired Gen. Paul M. Nakasone, founding director of Vanderbilt’s Institute of National Security, who served as moderator for the fireside chat.
Altman talked about the rapid development of artificial intelligence, its potential and limitations, and the need for collaboration of the government, academia and the private sector to responsibly deploy the technology.
“I think AI is going to transform every part of society,” Altman said. “National security is obviously one of the most important and most affected areas.
“I think the pace at which this (technology) is going to impact national security is going to challenge a lot of the ways that we’ve thought about things.”
He emphasized the importance of preparing society for the shifts that AI will bring. That includes not only education and public awareness, but also investments in safety and a thoughtful regulation framework that can keep pace with innovation.
As part of his broader reflection on how governments and societies need to prepare for AI’s growing influence, Altman said, “We have to build institutions that are capable of managing something this powerful, and that includes international coordination.”
Asked by Nakasone about lessons learned from OpenAI’s recent trajectory with its most well-known project, ChatGPT, Altman stressed the importance of iterative deployment and the need for “transparency around what these systems can do, what they are doing, what they’re capable of.”
He acknowledged the tension between openness and misuse and said it was essential to involve a broad coalition of experts from all sectors in guiding AI development.
“We want to make sure the U.S. and the democratic world build the future of AI,” he said, “that we build it aligned with our values, that we advance democracy and freedom and liberty.”
Altman said that while AI presents real risks, he remains hopeful about its potential to improve lives and solve complex problems if steered wisely.
“We don’t get to opt out of this,” Altman said referring to the pace and inevitability of AI advancement. “The technology is going to happen. The question is: Do we shape it or let it shape us?”
The conversation with Altman was one of several keynote sessions at the two-day summit, which brought together policy, research and business leaders to examine the role of technology, especially AI, in modern conflict and national security.