OpenAI former researchers criticize company’s opposition to California AI bill

Two former OpenAI researchers, Daniel Kokotajlo and William Saunders, have expressed their discontent with the company’s stance on California’s AI regulation bill, SB 1047. They had quit the company earlier this year, citing safety issues arising from the high rate of AI development. 

In a letter to Politico, they expressed their disagreement with OpenAI’s stance on this bill, saying that it is inapplicable to the company’s earlier appeals for AI regulation. The letter raises a wider concern for the management and safety of AI. According to Kokotajlo and Saunders, the opposition of OpenAI to SB 1047 reveals the organization’s irresponsible attitude toward the creation of AI. 

“Sam Altman, our former boss, has repeatedly called for AI regulation,” Kokotajlo and Saunders wrote. “Now, when actual regulation is on the table, he opposes it.” 

OpenAI defends position and calls for federal regulation

They have highlighted that Aidos’ mission is to develop AGI safely, but the steps that the company is taking are contrary to this mission. The researchers have asked California Governor Gavin Newsom to approve the bill so that better safety precautions can be taken with AI technology. 

In response to the letter from the former researchers, an OpenAI representative shared a statement denying the allegations of mischaracterization. The spokesperson also noted that OpenAI backs some of the AI safety bills in Congress and claims that these should be regulated at the federal level because they pose a national security threat and affect the country’s competitiveness on the world stage.

OpenAI has been vocal about the need for proper AI regulation but wants the matter to be dealt with at the federal level. According to the company, only federal legislation can provide a more effective approach to legal solutions to the dangers of frontier AI technologies and a united legal regime throughout the country. 

Anthropic takes different stance on California AI legislation

On the other hand, Anthropic, OpenAI’s competitor, has welcomed SB 1047 but has proposed some changes. The CEO of the company, Dario Amodei, who used to work at OpenAI, was more moderate in his opinion about the bill. Amodei wrote a letter to Governor Newsom stating that although the bill has its pros, the current version with amendments included is cost-effective and beneficial. 

Anthropic’s endorsement of the bill signals a distinct approach to AI governance. The company’s endorsement, along with the proposed amendments. This is different from the federal approach that OpenAI has supported. The fate of SB 1047 will most probably affect the future debates at the state and federal levels.