OpenAI's Sam Altman says public is 'right to be afraid' but urges trust in AI firms

OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman says the public is 'right to be afraid' of artificial intelligence but should trust AI companies to act responsibly, speaking today, according to BBC News. His comments come amid intensifying government scrutiny of advanced AI and debate over potential existential and societal risks. The remarks underscore the high-stakes push and pull between rapid innovation and calls for stronger guardrails.

BBC News reports Altman and other tech chiefs argue there are incentives to limit or slow certain breakthroughs to reduce harm, as fears about AI's impact on jobs, security, and democracy mount. The stance is likely to fuel criticism from advocates who say voluntary commitments are not enough and from policymakers advancing binding rules in the EU and US. Watch for any concrete policy proposals from OpenAI or coordinated industry pledges, and whether regulators respond with timelines or enforcement details. [Developing. This article will be updated.]