OpenAI CEO in Seoul to meet South Korean president as nation seek to encourage AI development amid ChatGPT craze
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has travelled to Israel, Jordan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, India and South Korea this week, after visiting Europe last month
- South Korea’s new AI regulations, which are awaiting full parliament approval, are seen as less restrictive than the EU’s
OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman is set to meet with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, as the country seeks to encourage domestic competitiveness in artificial intelligence (AI).
After criss-crossing Europe last month meeting lawmakers and national leaders to discuss the prospects and threats of AI, Altman has travelled to Israel, Jordan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, India and South Korea – all this week.
“People are focused on not stifling innovation, and that any regulatory framework has got to make sure that the benefits of this technology come to the world,” Altman said as he met with about 100 South Korean start-ups on Friday.
The European Union is moving ahead with its draft AI Act, which is expected to become law this year, while the United States is leaning toward adapting existing laws for AI rather than creating new legislation.
South Korea has new AI regulations awaiting full parliament approval; those rules are seen as less restrictive than the EU’s.
In February, a parliament committee passed an AI law draft that guarantees freedom to release AI products and services, and will only restrict them if regulators deem any product to be harming the lives, safety, and rights of people.