Altman Warns: The United States May Underestimate China's Progress in Artificial Intelligence

In a rare press meeting during an event in San Francisco, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, expressed his concern about the rapid development of artificial intelligence in China, noting that the United States may not recognize the complexities and dangers of this progress.

Altman said, while hosted in the Presidio neighborhood just a few miles from his company's headquarters: "I am concerned about China."

He explained that the AI race between the two countries is not just a simple technical competition, but is complex and intertwined, emphasizing that China has the potential to develop at a faster pace.

He also stated: "There is a capacity for inference, where China can likely build faster. There is research, there are products, and there are many aspects to the whole matter," adding: "I don't think it will simply be: Is the United States or China ahead?".

Despite the United States tightening semiconductor export controls, Altman questioned the effectiveness of these measures, saying: "I think this won't be helpful."

He also pointed out that export restrictions may not be the optimal solution, especially with manufacturers' ability to find alternatives or develop local facilities. He said: "Export controls can be imposed, but perhaps this is not the optimal solution... perhaps manufacturers will build or find alternative solutions."