Why OpenAI's Regulatory Nightmare Is Only Getting Started

Imagine working in the OpenAI department responsible for dealing with politicians and regulators right now—things must be so intense you could almost be working for Elon Musk. Every politician worth their salt, in countries around the world, is jumping into the AI safety fray. Case in point: On Monday, the New York City Council, that bastion of AI expertise, held a hearing to discuss the risks that AI poses to humanity. 

The council called whistleblowers like former OpenAI researcher Jacob Coxon to testify, along with officials from OpenAI, Google, Anthropic and Meta Platforms (Musk’s SpaceX didn’t show, and you can’t blame them). OpenAI is also facing a U.S. Senate investigation spearheaded by Sen. Josh Hawley, not to mention a Federal Trade Commission inquiry and another one by the Australian government. The state of Florida has gone to court to make life miserable for OpenAI. The Europeans, of course, have gotten into the act with their own inquiry. And these are just the regulators!