Sam Altman reportedly warned US intelligence officials in 2017 about a Chinese ‘AGI Manhattan Project’ to argue for large-scale government funding for his company. Reports suggest he claimed China had already launched an aggressive artificial intelligence program, framing it as a geopolitical race the US could not afford to lose.
Officials who attended those meetings later said Altman failed to provide concrete evidence when pressed. One official described the claims as based on hearsay, recalling his response: ‘I’ve heard things.’ Follow-up requests for proof reportedly yielded no substantiation.
Investigations conducted by US intelligence agencies found no evidence of such a Chinese initiative, according to a report by The New Yorker. Officials concluded that the warning lacked factual support because it contained no actual evidence.
One intelligence source described the pitch as a funding-driven strategic initiative that lacked an authentic threat assessment. The findings show that emerging technologies pose challenges for policy debates because national security claims require concrete evidence to be valid.
Multiple reports claim that Altman customized his message according to his conversation partner. The government representatives needed to invest in the technology, using metaphors about the Manhattan Project to spur market competition.
Safety-oriented organizations received arguments that demonstrated the dangers of artificial general intelligence and explained the need for worldwide collaboration. The two opposing forces illustrate the ongoing tension between accelerating artificial intelligence research and safety measures.
Internal deliberations within the organization led to conflicting views. In particular, former adviser Page Hedley suggested that AI labs across the globe collaborate to avoid an arms race. It is alleged that the management opposed such initiatives and favored rapid development.
There were even conversations about exploiting international tensions to benefit OpenAI, including by stimulating countries' competitive nature.
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The case raises issues of accountability in the industry. Today, lawmakers look to industry experts for recommendations when dealing with complicated technologies. Such unverified claims can have substantial implications if they influence policy-making.