OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said he frightened millions of people [1] worldwide by suggesting that artificial intelligence could be frightening.
This shift in tone comes as the industry faces increasing public anxiety over the rapid deployment of generative AI and its potential impact on labor and safety. By addressing the fear directly, the company seeks to pivot the public narrative from existential risk toward individual empowerment.
Altman said the company does not want AI to frighten people. Instead, he said the goal is to give users more freedom and control over the technology.
The CEO emphasized that the development of AI should create new opportunities for the global population. He said the technology is intended to empower users rather than instill fear.
This acknowledgement follows a period of high-profile warnings about the capabilities of large language models. By framing the technology as a tool for control, Altman aims to reposition OpenAI as a provider of utility rather than a source of instability.
“Altman said he frightened millions of people worldwide by suggesting that artificial intelligence could be frightening.”
This admission reflects a strategic effort by OpenAI to manage the public perception of AI risk. As the company moves from research to mass-market integration, reducing 'AI anxiety' is critical for user adoption and the mitigation of restrictive government regulation.
