Greg Ferenstein

Artificial intelligence is unlikely to end life as we know it —&nbsp;the predictions of some doomers notwithstanding —&nbsp;but it’s almost certain to radically upend the news business. And the new way publishers in California have chosen to respond to that very real existential threat —&nbsp;with funding for research and innovation, paid for by companies with the most to gain — offers valuable lessons to the lawmakers seeking to head off much more distant and hypothetical threats to humanity with tools ill-suited to the purpose.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Artificial intelligence is unlikely to end life as we know it —&nbsp;the predictions of some doomers notwithstanding —&nbsp;but it’s almost certain to radically upend the news business. And the new way publishers in California have chosen to respond to that very real existential threat —&nbsp;with funding for research and innovation, paid for by companies with the most to gain — offers valuable lessons to the lawmakers seeking to head off much more distant and hypothetical threats to humanity with tools ill-suited to the purpose.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Under an emerging <a href="https://calmatters.org/politics/capitol/2024/08/california-journalism-deal-legislature-google/">agreement</a>, Google will pay roughly $50 million into an AI “accelerator” that&nbsp; will build new journalism tools. Google will also pay tens of millions into existing California news outlets, with a $70 million match from the state. The initiative aims to enhance democracy through better writing, distribution, and business models for struggling media outlets. Details of the program, partly administered by UC Berkeley, are pending.

Under an emerging <a href="https://calmatters.org/politics/capitol/2024/08/california-journalism-deal-legislature-google/">agreement</a>, Google will pay roughly $50 million into an AI “accelerator” that&nbsp; will build new journalism tools. Google will also pay tens of millions into existing California news outlets, with a $70 million match from the state. The initiative aims to enhance democracy through better writing, distribution, and business models for struggling media outlets. Details of the program, partly administered by UC Berkeley, are pending.

That is, rather than restrict technological innovations with blunt regulations, the deal works cooperatively with companies to fight the potential harms of AI with better AI solutions —&nbsp;all while protecting local jobs.

That is, rather than restrict technological innovations with blunt regulations, the deal works cooperatively with companies to fight the potential harms of AI with better AI solutions —&nbsp;all while protecting local jobs.

California’s novel approach to one threat posed by artificial intelligence emerged in the context of an entirely different dispute about financing journalism. Via their legislative allies, local newsrooms had attempted to extract subsidies through two bills: <a href="https://digitaldemocracy.calmatters.org/bills/ca_202320240sb1327">California Senate Bill 1327</a> taxed internet advertising, and Assembly Bill 886 taxed tech companies such as Google and Meta to display snippets of news content.

California’s novel approach to one threat posed by artificial intelligence emerged in the context of an entirely different dispute about financing journalism. Via their legislative allies, local newsrooms had attempted to extract subsidies through two bills: <a href="https://digitaldemocracy.calmatters.org/bills/ca_202320240sb1327">California Senate Bill 1327</a> taxed internet advertising, and Assembly Bill 886 taxed tech companies such as Google and Meta to display snippets of news content.

The two bills didn’t have anything to do with AI per se; they were more about publishers trying to get a share of the value their content has generated for big platforms that dominate online advertising. But everyone can see that generative AI is the train bearing down the tracks on the news industry, and publishers have mounted similar arguments (and lawsuits) about the way the algorithms behind Gemini and ChatGPT have been trained on their articles.&nbsp;

The two bills didn’t have anything to do with AI per se; they were more about publishers trying to get a share of the value their content has generated for big platforms that dominate online advertising. But everyone can see that generative AI is the train bearing down the tracks on the news industry, and publishers have mounted similar arguments (and lawsuits) about the way the algorithms behind Gemini and ChatGPT have been trained on their articles.&nbsp;

But with the bills facing an uphill political fight, publishers chose to bargain — with the result that tens of millions of dollars that would have gone to tech companies’ bottom lines will now be spent propping up local newsrooms and developing tools to ensure that the&nbsp; journalists who work in those newsrooms are as well positioned as anyone to capture the productivity gains of AI.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

But with the bills facing an uphill political fight, publishers chose to bargain — with the result that tens of millions of dollars that would have gone to tech companies’ bottom lines will now be spent propping up local newsrooms and developing tools to ensure that the&nbsp; journalists who work in those newsrooms are as well positioned as anyone to capture the productivity gains of AI.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Silicon Valley says this AI bill will kill tech in SF. Some mayoral candidates agree

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The approach couldn’t be more different from that of SB 1047. That bill, authored by State Sen. Scott Wiener, would require artificial intelligence models to go through state-sanctioned safety checks and impose massive fines on developers whose tools cause damage by malicious users.

The approach couldn’t be more different from that of SB 1047. That bill, authored by State Sen. Scott Wiener, would require artificial intelligence models to go through state-sanctioned safety checks and impose massive fines on developers whose tools cause damage by malicious users.

SB 1047 represents the classic government temptation: restrict and control. Critics of the bill, <a href="https://x.com/AndrewYNg/status/1811425437048070328">such as Stanford’s Andrew Ng</a>, argue that it is especially crushing for scrappy startups that rely on freely available (“open source”) AI models and don’t have expensive teams of lawyers to navigate the regulatory maze.

SB 1047 represents the classic government temptation: restrict and control. Critics of the bill, <a href="https://x.com/AndrewYNg/status/1811425437048070328">such as Stanford’s Andrew Ng</a>, argue that it is especially crushing for scrappy startups that rely on freely available (“open source”) AI models and don’t have expensive teams of lawyers to navigate the regulatory maze.

Over the past few years, technologists have shown a willingness to exit the state en masse in response to new taxes and regulation. The once-bustling San Francisco downtown is largely empty, and the city faces a budget crisis.

Over the past few years, technologists have shown a willingness to exit the state en masse in response to new taxes and regulation. The once-bustling San Francisco downtown is largely empty, and the city faces a budget crisis.

How will San Franciscans struggling to find a job benefit from further restrictions on artificial intelligence? AI companies will simply move out of the state, create new wealth elsewhere, and continue to build technologies that could threaten public safety.&nbsp;

How will San Franciscans struggling to find a job benefit from further restrictions on artificial intelligence? AI companies will simply move out of the state, create new wealth elsewhere, and continue to build technologies that could threaten public safety.&nbsp;

Instead, what if Wiener took a page from those who cut a deal with the AI companies to fund innovation that would address the potential harms of the technology — and make sure that innovation happens here, in California? A deal like that would improve the state’s economy by making it a hub of new sophisticated countermeasures to malicious AI.&nbsp;

Instead, what if Wiener took a page from those who cut a deal with the AI companies to fund innovation that would address the potential harms of the technology — and make sure that innovation happens here, in California? A deal like that would improve the state’s economy by making it a hub of new sophisticated countermeasures to malicious AI.&nbsp;

To be sure, the deal publishers cut with Google has its critics, who have focused mostly on the journalism portion of the deal.&nbsp;

To be sure, the deal publishers cut with Google has its critics, who have focused mostly on the journalism portion of the deal.&nbsp;

“state funded ‘journalism.’ what could go wrong?” <a href="https://x.com/micsolana/status/1825944245372596698?s=46&amp;t=JNhqTcjmAWajQPb5dRjhlw">tweeted</a> Mike Solana, editor of Pirate Wire, a libertarian-leaning tech-and-culture newsletter.&nbsp;

“state funded ‘journalism.’ what could go wrong?” <a href="https://x.com/micsolana/status/1825944245372596698?s=46&amp;t=JNhqTcjmAWajQPb5dRjhlw">tweeted</a> Mike Solana, editor of Pirate Wire, a libertarian-leaning tech-and-culture newsletter.&nbsp;

Left-leaning critics, such as state Sen. Steve Glazer, worry that on top of undercutting what they see as better bills that put Google and Meta on the hook for the news content they monetize, the deal may also <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/local-news-big-tech-19717698.php">benefit</a> large investors who will still gut newsrooms with automation.&nbsp;

Left-leaning critics, such as state Sen. Steve Glazer, worry that on top of undercutting what they see as better bills that put Google and Meta on the hook for the news content they monetize, the deal may also <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/local-news-big-tech-19717698.php">benefit</a> large investors who will still gut newsrooms with automation.&nbsp;

But these critics miss the bigger picture. The sheer number of jobs threatened by AI dwarfs even the largest fines that tech companies could pay. And traditional journalism is not equipped to overshadow the vast amount of written content that can be generated and widely distributed by small teams using advanced technologies. To thrive, journalists will need to find sustainable business models that capture the attention of paying consumers.

But these critics miss the bigger picture. The sheer number of jobs threatened by AI dwarfs even the largest fines that tech companies could pay. And traditional journalism is not equipped to overshadow the vast amount of written content that can be generated and widely distributed by small teams using advanced technologies. To thrive, journalists will need to find sustainable business models that capture the attention of paying consumers.

These tools don’t need to be particularly complex to be impactful. For instance, modern journalism requires incredible writing and publishing speed to be competitive. On social media, the first stories published have a head start to be the most shared.&nbsp;

These tools don’t need to be particularly complex to be impactful. For instance, modern journalism requires incredible writing and publishing speed to be competitive. On social media, the first stories published have a head start to be the most shared.&nbsp;

“I think generative AI such as ChatGPT can make us faster and better,” Nicolas Carlson <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-insider-newsroom-will-use-ai-2023-4">wrote</a> last year, when he was editor in chief of Business Insider. He&nbsp; recalls using AI to comb through Donald Trump&#8217;s indictment statements.&nbsp;

“I think generative AI such as ChatGPT can make us faster and better,” Nicolas Carlson <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-insider-newsroom-will-use-ai-2023-4">wrote</a> last year, when he was editor in chief of Business Insider. He&nbsp; recalls using AI to comb through Donald Trump's indictment statements.&nbsp;

“I think generative AI such as ChatGPT can make us faster and better,” Nicolas Carlson <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-insider-newsroom-will-use-ai-2023-4">wrote</a> last year, when he was editor in chief of Business Insider. He&nbsp; recalls using AI to comb through Donald Trump&#8217;s indictment statements.&nbsp;

This is true for me, too. As a former journalist who now researches psychedelic policy and other matters, I’ve used AI to quickly transcribe large volumes of bureaucratic state meetings — it has saved me hours of work. I also programmed a script using OpenAI’s GPT language model that would summarize background information trained on my writing style and topic expertise.&nbsp;

This is true for me, too. As a former journalist who now researches psychedelic policy and other matters, I’ve used AI to quickly transcribe large volumes of bureaucratic state meetings — it has saved me hours of work. I also programmed a script using OpenAI’s GPT language model that would summarize background information trained on my writing style and topic expertise.&nbsp;

AI completes the tedious aspects of my job while I focus on original reporting and analysis. I’m able to publish high-quality information more quickly.&nbsp;

AI completes the tedious aspects of my job while I focus on original reporting and analysis. I’m able to publish high-quality information more quickly.&nbsp;

California’s journalism program is a template for how the government can respond to AI in many aspects of society. Law enforcement and security firms could develop cybersecurity tools. Healthcare providers and hospitals could counter medical misinformation.&nbsp;

California’s journalism program is a template for how the government can respond to AI in many aspects of society. Law enforcement and security firms could develop cybersecurity tools. Healthcare providers and hospitals could counter medical misinformation.&nbsp;

The approach is similar to the argument MIT’s Erik Brynjolfsson made for how to deal with technological challenges: <a href="https://blog.ted.com/race-with-the-machines-erik-brynjolfsson-at-ted2013/amp/">“Race with the machine</a>” through cooperation, rather than rage against it through restrictions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The approach is similar to the argument MIT’s Erik Brynjolfsson made for how to deal with technological challenges: <a href="https://blog.ted.com/race-with-the-machines-erik-brynjolfsson-at-ted2013/amp/">“Race with the machine</a>” through cooperation, rather than rage against it through restrictions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Let’s respond to advances in technology through optimism and growth, rather than fear and contraction. 

Let’s respond to advances in technology through optimism and growth, rather than fear and contraction.

Greg Ferenstein is Founder of Frederick Research, a public affairs firm specializing in emerging markets.

Greg Ferenstein is Founder of Frederick Research, a public affairs firm specializing in emerging markets.

Google’s deal with publishers shows how to meet AI with innovation, not red tape

Opinion: Google’s deal with publishers shows how to meet AI with innovation, not red tape

Priya Anand

Gabe Greschler

California lawmakers voted to pass SB 1047, an artificial intelligence safety bill vilified by much of the tech industry that has become a local political flashpoint, sending it to the governor&#8217;s desk

California lawmakers voted to pass SB 1047, an artificial intelligence safety bill vilified by much of the tech industry that has become a local political flashpoint, sending it to the governor's desk

California lawmakers voted to pass SB 1047, an artificial intelligence safety bill vilified by much of the tech industry that has become a local political flashpoint, sending it to the governor&#8217;s desk

The bill is aimed at requiring companies that spend $100 million or more training AI models to develop safety measures to prevent their technology from being used to cause serious harm to society.

The bill is aimed at requiring companies that spend $100 million or more training AI models to develop safety measures to prevent their technology from being used to cause serious harm to society.

Introduced by state Sen. Scott Wiener, the bill has been a lightning rod for criticism from those who worry it will quash the budding AI industry in its infancy and negatively affect the economies of San Francisco and the state.

Introduced by state Sen. Scott Wiener, the bill has been a lightning rod for criticism from those who worry it will quash the budding AI industry in its infancy and negatively affect the economies of San Francisco and the state.

SB 1047 received a final confirmation vote in the state Senate where it passed 29-9. Gov. Gavin Newsom has not publicly stated his position on the bill, which he could veto.

SB 1047 received a final confirmation vote in the state Senate where it passed 29-9. Gov. Gavin Newsom has not publicly stated his position on the bill, which he could veto.

&#8220;Innovation and safety can go hand in hand — and California is leading the way,” Wiener said in a statement. “With this vote, the Assembly has taken the truly historic step of working proactively to ensure an exciting new technology protects the public interest as it advances.&#8221;

"Innovation and safety can go hand in hand — and California is leading the way,” Wiener said in a statement. “With this vote, the Assembly has taken the truly historic step of working proactively to ensure an exciting new technology protects the public interest as it advances."

&#8220;Innovation and safety can go hand in hand — and California is leading the way,” Wiener said in a statement. “With this vote, the Assembly has taken the truly historic step of working proactively to ensure an exciting new technology protects the public interest as it advances.&#8221;

The passage comes as a fraught political fight about the legislation spilled into public view in recent weeks, with heavy-hitter elected officials taking sides — including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who came out against the bill.

The passage comes as a fraught political fight about the legislation spilled into public view in recent weeks, with heavy-hitter elected officials taking sides — including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who came out against the bill.

Mayor London Breed <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/27/sb1047-ai-san-francisco-london-breed-scott-wiener/">joined Pelosi</a>, arguing that more thought needs to be put into the bill. Breed&#8217;s opposition was unexpected to many observers, considering her close relationship with Wiener, particularly on pro-housing initiatives.

London Breed comes out against ally Scott Wiener&#8217;s controversial AI safety bill

Mayor London Breed <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/27/sb1047-ai-san-francisco-london-breed-scott-wiener/">joined Pelosi</a>, arguing that more thought needs to be put into the bill. Breed's opposition was unexpected to many observers, considering her close relationship with Wiener, particularly on pro-housing initiatives.

Mayor London Breed <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/27/sb1047-ai-san-francisco-london-breed-scott-wiener/">joined Pelosi</a>, arguing that more thought needs to be put into the bill. Breed&#8217;s opposition was unexpected to many observers, considering her close relationship with Wiener, particularly on pro-housing initiatives.

But perhaps the most surprising opinion was that of tech titan Elon Musk, who <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/26/elon-musk-openai-scott-wiener-sb1046/">said the bill</a> is necessary. Though he has advocated for regulation of artificial intelligence, Musk has been highly critical of state and local governments in California.

Elon Musk says state should &#8216;probably pass&#8217; AI regulations maligned by Silicon Valley

But perhaps the most surprising opinion was that of tech titan Elon Musk, who <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/26/elon-musk-openai-scott-wiener-sb1046/">said the bill</a> is necessary. Though he has advocated for regulation of artificial intelligence, Musk has been highly critical of state and local governments in California.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">This is a tough call and will make some people upset, but, all things considered, I think California should probably pass the SB 1047 AI safety bill. For over 20 years, I have been an advocate for AI regulation, just as we regulate any product/technology that is a potential risk…&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1828205685386936567?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The bill has been a source of controversy across Silicon Valley, with San Francisco <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/09/mayoral-candidates-ai-bill-tech/">mayoral candidates weighing in</a> on whether they think it could hurt the city’s economy by suppressing a budding industry.

The bill has been a source of controversy across Silicon Valley, with San Francisco <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/09/mayoral-candidates-ai-bill-tech/">mayoral candidates weighing in</a> on whether they think it could hurt the city’s economy by suppressing a budding industry.

Several <a href="https://x.com/drfeifei/status/1820838100568056028">AI experts</a> have slammed the bill, as have venture capitalists and companies like OpenAI. But Anthropic, one of the largest startups in the space, sent a letter to Newsom’s office last week saying that a revised version of the legislation&#8217;s “benefits likely outweigh its costs.”

Several <a href="https://x.com/drfeifei/status/1820838100568056028">AI experts</a> have slammed the bill, as have venture capitalists and companies like OpenAI. But Anthropic, one of the largest startups in the space, sent a letter to Newsom’s office last week saying that a revised version of the legislation's “benefits likely outweigh its costs.”

Several <a href="https://x.com/drfeifei/status/1820838100568056028">AI experts</a> have slammed the bill, as have venture capitalists and companies like OpenAI. But Anthropic, one of the largest startups in the space, sent a letter to Newsom’s office last week saying that a revised version of the legislation&#8217;s “benefits likely outweigh its costs.”

Wiener&#8217;s advocacy for the bill could be risky for his political future.

Wiener's advocacy for the bill could be risky for his political future.

Wiener&#8217;s advocacy for the bill could be risky for his political future.

The state senator is expected to eventually make a bid for Pelosi&#8217;s seat in Congress; it remains to be seen whether his authorship of the AI legislation will scare off potential support from deep-pocketed donors in the technology space.

The state senator is expected to eventually make a bid for Pelosi's seat in Congress; it remains to be seen whether his authorship of the AI legislation will scare off potential support from deep-pocketed donors in the technology space.

The state senator is expected to eventually make a bid for Pelosi&#8217;s seat in Congress; it remains to be seen whether his authorship of the AI legislation will scare off potential support from deep-pocketed donors in the technology space.

State lawmakers send controversial AI safety bill dividing local leaders to Newsom’s desk

Liz Lindqwister

ChatGPT creator Sam Altman continued his whirlwind international tour at Dreamforce 2023 in San Francisco, simultaneously touting artificial intelligence&#8217;s potential and terrifying the masses with his prophetic words about its real-world applications.

ChatGPT creator Sam Altman continued his whirlwind international tour at Dreamforce 2023 in San Francisco, simultaneously touting artificial intelligence's potential and terrifying the masses with his prophetic words about its real-world applications.

ChatGPT creator Sam Altman continued his whirlwind international tour at Dreamforce 2023 in San Francisco, simultaneously touting artificial intelligence&#8217;s potential and terrifying the masses with his prophetic words about its real-world applications.

&#8220;The level of enthusiasm, hopefulness and excitement around the world—of course, balanced with wanting to successfully address the downsides [of AI]—was really extraordinary to see,&#8221; Altman said. &#8220;I thought maybe this was just a tech, Silicon Valley phenomenon, but seeing what everyone around the world is doing with the technology, and how they&#8217;ve incorporated it into their lives, was really cool.&#8221;

"The level of enthusiasm, hopefulness and excitement around the world—of course, balanced with wanting to successfully address the downsides [of AI]—was really extraordinary to see," Altman said. "I thought maybe this was just a tech, Silicon Valley phenomenon, but seeing what everyone around the world is doing with the technology, and how they've incorporated it into their lives, was really cool."

&#8220;The level of enthusiasm, hopefulness and excitement around the world—of course, balanced with wanting to successfully address the downsides [of AI]—was really extraordinary to see,&#8221; Altman said. &#8220;I thought maybe this was just a tech, Silicon Valley phenomenon, but seeing what everyone around the world is doing with the technology, and how they&#8217;ve incorporated it into their lives, was really cool.&#8221;

Set against a leafy green backdrop on the Yerba Buena Theater stage, Altman met with Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff on Tuesday afternoon, speaking to a packed audience about everything from generative AI to his favorite sci-fi movie, Her.

Set against a leafy green backdrop on the Yerba Buena Theater stage, Altman met with Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff on Tuesday afternoon, speaking to a packed audience about everything from generative AI to his favorite sci-fi movie, Her.

&#8220;I like Her. The things Her got right—like the whole interaction models of how people use AI—that was incredibly prophetic,&#8221; Altman said.

"I like Her. The things Her got right—like the whole interaction models of how people use AI—that was incredibly prophetic," Altman said.

&#8220;I like Her. The things Her got right—like the whole interaction models of how people use AI—that was incredibly prophetic,&#8221; Altman said.

Spike Jonze&#8217;s 2013 movie Her stars Joaquin Phoenix as a heartbroken man going through a divorce who falls for an AI virtual assistant named Samantha, voiced by Scarlett Johansson.

Spike Jonze's 2013 movie Her stars Joaquin Phoenix as a heartbroken man going through a divorce who falls for an AI virtual assistant named Samantha, voiced by Scarlett Johansson.

Spike Jonze&#8217;s 2013 movie Her stars Joaquin Phoenix as a heartbroken man going through a divorce who falls for an AI virtual assistant named Samantha, voiced by Scarlett Johansson.

OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman speaks at Dreamforce with Marc Benioff, Salesforce CEO at Moscone Center in San Francisco, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/AltmanBreakoutLizDreamforce-208.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-200115"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">ChatGPT creator Sam Altman speaks at Dreamforce 2023 with Marc Benioff.</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/AltmanBreakoutLizDreamforce-208.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-200115"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">ChatGPT creator Sam Altman speaks at Dreamforce 2023 with Marc Benioff.</figcaption></figure>

Altman, OpenAI&#8217;s CEO, maintained a prophetic yet pragmatic tone, poking fun at the yearslong process of releasing his famous GPT text generators.

Altman, OpenAI's CEO, maintained a prophetic yet pragmatic tone, poking fun at the yearslong process of releasing his famous GPT text generators.

Altman, OpenAI&#8217;s CEO, maintained a prophetic yet pragmatic tone, poking fun at the yearslong process of releasing his famous GPT text generators.

&#8220;The biggest surprise is just that it&#8217;s all working,&#8221; Altman said, to laughter in the audience. &#8220;We want to have the smartest, most capable, most customizable models out there.&#8221;

"The biggest surprise is just that it's all working," Altman said, to laughter in the audience. "We want to have the smartest, most capable, most customizable models out there."

&#8220;The biggest surprise is just that it&#8217;s all working,&#8221; Altman said, to laughter in the audience. &#8220;We want to have the smartest, most capable, most customizable models out there.&#8221;

ChatGPT and artificial intelligence <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/01/23/san-franciscos-next-gold-rush-is-already-here-and-youve-been-using-it-for-years/">exploded onto the San Francisco tech scene this year</a> after OpenAI released publicly accessible text and image generators in 2022. The excitement surrounding these technologies has <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/11/people-say-why-they-moved-back-san-francisco/">lured investors and tech founders</a> back to the Bay Area, creating a startup frenzy in San Francisco.

San Francisco’s next gold rush is already here, and you’ve been using it for years

Three people told us why they’re moving back to San Francisco

ChatGPT and artificial intelligence <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/01/23/san-franciscos-next-gold-rush-is-already-here-and-youve-been-using-it-for-years/">exploded onto the San Francisco tech scene this year</a> after OpenAI released publicly accessible text and image generators in 2022. The excitement surrounding these technologies has <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/11/people-say-why-they-moved-back-san-francisco/">lured investors and tech founders</a> back to the Bay Area, creating a startup frenzy in San Francisco.

READ MORE: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/01/13/what-is-cerebral-valley-san-franciscos-nerdiest-new-neighborhood/">What Is ‘Cerebral Valley’? San Francisco’s Nerdiest New Neighborhood</a>

What is &#8216;Cerebral Valley&#8217;? San Francisco&#8217;s nerdiest new neighborhood

READ MORE: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/01/13/what-is-cerebral-valley-san-franciscos-nerdiest-new-neighborhood/">What Is ‘Cerebral Valley’? San Francisco’s Nerdiest New Neighborhood</a>

But as text generators like ChatGPT or Anthropic&#8217;s Claude AI grow in popularity, tech leadership and government officials are <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/16/technology/openai-altman-artificial-intelligence-regulation.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">increasingly flagging concerns</a> about security, misinformation and intellectual property.

But as text generators like ChatGPT or Anthropic's Claude AI grow in popularity, tech leadership and government officials are <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/16/technology/openai-altman-artificial-intelligence-regulation.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">increasingly flagging concerns</a> about security, misinformation and intellectual property.

But as text generators like ChatGPT or Anthropic&#8217;s Claude AI grow in popularity, tech leadership and government officials are <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/16/technology/openai-altman-artificial-intelligence-regulation.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">increasingly flagging concerns</a> about security, misinformation and intellectual property.

Altman has testified about generative AI in Congress and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/06/22/chatgpt-creator-sam-altman-tells-san-francisco-crowd-he-cant-be-trusted/">called for more robust regulatory oversight</a> of the very technology his company creates. The entrepreneur came short of admitting an interest in entering politics on Tuesday, telling Benioff he &#8220;wouldn&#8217;t be a good politician at all.&#8221;

ChatGPT creator Sam Altman tells San Francisco crowd he can&#8217;t be trusted

Altman has testified about generative AI in Congress and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/06/22/chatgpt-creator-sam-altman-tells-san-francisco-crowd-he-cant-be-trusted/">called for more robust regulatory oversight</a> of the very technology his company creates. The entrepreneur came short of admitting an interest in entering politics on Tuesday, telling Benioff he "wouldn't be a good politician at all."

Altman has testified about generative AI in Congress and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/06/22/chatgpt-creator-sam-altman-tells-san-francisco-crowd-he-cant-be-trusted/">called for more robust regulatory oversight</a> of the very technology his company creates. The entrepreneur came short of admitting an interest in entering politics on Tuesday, telling Benioff he &#8220;wouldn&#8217;t be a good politician at all.&#8221;

Altman suggested a new governing agency might be necessary in order to create a framework to &#8220;deal with short-term and long-term challenges&#8221; posed by artificial intelligence.

Altman suggested a new governing agency might be necessary in order to create a framework to "deal with short-term and long-term challenges" posed by artificial intelligence.

Altman suggested a new governing agency might be necessary in order to create a framework to &#8220;deal with short-term and long-term challenges&#8221; posed by artificial intelligence.

&#8220;Getting something going—even if just focused on insight and not oversight—I think would be great,&#8221; Altman said.

"Getting something going—even if just focused on insight and not oversight—I think would be great," Altman said.

&#8220;Getting something going—even if just focused on insight and not oversight—I think would be great,&#8221; Altman said.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks before a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law hearing on artificial intelligence, Tuesday, May 16, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AP23136597225663-1.jpg?w=2000" alt="" class="wp-image-181720"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks before a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law hearing on artificial intelligence in Washington, D.C., on May 16, 2023.</figcaption></figure>

Trust is now the name of the game. The 21st iteration of Dreamforce has a mantra, &#8220;In Trust We AI,&#8221; reflecting Salesforce&#8217;s efforts to position itself as a responsible tech company that experiments with new technology yet establishes guardrails and oversight at the same time.

Trust is now the name of the game. The 21st iteration of Dreamforce has a mantra, "In Trust We AI," reflecting Salesforce's efforts to position itself as a responsible tech company that experiments with new technology yet establishes guardrails and oversight at the same time.

Trust is now the name of the game. The 21st iteration of Dreamforce has a mantra, &#8220;In Trust We AI,&#8221; reflecting Salesforce&#8217;s efforts to position itself as a responsible tech company that experiments with new technology yet establishes guardrails and oversight at the same time.

For Altman, the goals of technological advancement and oversight are one and the same. As OpenAI scales up its efforts to develop GPT&#8217;s capabilities, Altman says the very thing &#8220;helping us make these systems&#8221; will answer the question of alignment, such as making sure AI reflects human intent.

For Altman, the goals of technological advancement and oversight are one and the same. As OpenAI scales up its efforts to develop GPT's capabilities, Altman says the very thing "helping us make these systems" will answer the question of alignment, such as making sure AI reflects human intent.

For Altman, the goals of technological advancement and oversight are one and the same. As OpenAI scales up its efforts to develop GPT&#8217;s capabilities, Altman says the very thing &#8220;helping us make these systems&#8221; will answer the question of alignment, such as making sure AI reflects human intent.

Still, the ChatGPT creator admitted he hadn&#8217;t yet heard of a good solution for the surveillance state issues AI introduces.

Still, the ChatGPT creator admitted he hadn't yet heard of a good solution for the surveillance state issues AI introduces.

Still, the ChatGPT creator admitted he hadn&#8217;t yet heard of a good solution for the surveillance state issues AI introduces.

&#8220;I don’t see a world where—if AI is as powerful as we think and people can do significant harm with it—I don’t see a world where we don’t have less surveillance,&#8221; Altman said. &#8220;I don’t think that&#8217;s a good thing.&#8221;

"I don’t see a world where—if AI is as powerful as we think and people can do significant harm with it—I don’t see a world where we don’t have less surveillance," Altman said. "I don’t think that's a good thing."

&#8220;I don’t see a world where—if AI is as powerful as we think and people can do significant harm with it—I don’t see a world where we don’t have less surveillance,&#8221; Altman said. &#8220;I don’t think that&#8217;s a good thing.&#8221;

READ MORE: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/12/dreamforce-2023-benioff-says-ai-could-destroy-us-unless-salesforce-steps-in/">Benioff Says AI Could Destroy Us, Unless Salesforce Steps In</a>

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READ MORE: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/12/dreamforce-2023-benioff-says-ai-could-destroy-us-unless-salesforce-steps-in/">Benioff Says AI Could Destroy Us, Unless Salesforce Steps In</a>

Nevertheless, Altman&#8217;s hourlong talk struck a future-oriented tone, befitting of artificial intelligence&#8217;s most prolific—and arguably most influential—leader.

Nevertheless, Altman's hourlong talk struck a future-oriented tone, befitting of artificial intelligence's most prolific—and arguably most influential—leader.

Nevertheless, Altman&#8217;s hourlong talk struck a future-oriented tone, befitting of artificial intelligence&#8217;s most prolific—and arguably most influential—leader.

&#8220;In terms of &#8216;how we make progress&#8217; and &#8216;are we surprised&#8217;—not really. We are empiricists; we know we are going to be surprised,&#8221; Altman said. &#8220;We&#8217;re never surprised; we just try to meet reality where it is and follow the technology where it can go.&#8221;

"In terms of 'how we make progress' and 'are we surprised'—not really. We are empiricists; we know we are going to be surprised," Altman said. "We're never surprised; we just try to meet reality where it is and follow the technology where it can go."

&#8220;In terms of &#8216;how we make progress&#8217; and &#8216;are we surprised&#8217;—not really. We are empiricists; we know we are going to be surprised,&#8221; Altman said. &#8220;We&#8217;re never surprised; we just try to meet reality where it is and follow the technology where it can go.&#8221;

Altman, though an AI evangelist, is also a self-described doomsday prepper and survivalist, <a href="https://nypost.com/2023/06/05/sam-altman-who-warned-ai-poses-risk-of-extinction-to-humanity-is-also-a-doomsday-prepper/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">who once admitted to owning guns</a>, antibiotics and a &#8220;patch of land in Big Sur&#8221; to escape to, should disaster strike.

Altman, though an AI evangelist, is also a self-described doomsday prepper and survivalist, <a href="https://nypost.com/2023/06/05/sam-altman-who-warned-ai-poses-risk-of-extinction-to-humanity-is-also-a-doomsday-prepper/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">who once admitted to owning guns</a>, antibiotics and a "patch of land in Big Sur" to escape to, should disaster strike.

Altman, though an AI evangelist, is also a self-described doomsday prepper and survivalist, <a href="https://nypost.com/2023/06/05/sam-altman-who-warned-ai-poses-risk-of-extinction-to-humanity-is-also-a-doomsday-prepper/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">who once admitted to owning guns</a>, antibiotics and a &#8220;patch of land in Big Sur&#8221; to escape to, should disaster strike.

Though bullish on the future of his technology, the OpenAI CEO admitted on Tuesday that artificial intelligence won&#8217;t save him in a real-world crisis.

Though bullish on the future of his technology, the OpenAI CEO admitted on Tuesday that artificial intelligence won't save him in a real-world crisis.

Though bullish on the future of his technology, the OpenAI CEO admitted on Tuesday that artificial intelligence won&#8217;t save him in a real-world crisis.

&#8220;I have no delusions that any of that is going to protect us or anyone if AI goes wrong,&#8221; Altman said. &#8220;I think it&#8217;s silly that&#8217;s what people assume it&#8217;s for. It was just like a boyhood dream that stuck.&#8221;

"I have no delusions that any of that is going to protect us or anyone if AI goes wrong," Altman said. "I think it's silly that's what people assume it's for. It was just like a boyhood dream that stuck."

&#8220;I have no delusions that any of that is going to protect us or anyone if AI goes wrong,&#8221; Altman said. &#8220;I think it&#8217;s silly that&#8217;s what people assume it&#8217;s for. It was just like a boyhood dream that stuck.&#8221;

Dreamforce is an annual three-day technology conference in San Francisco, hosted by cloud management company Salesforce. The company says Dreamforce is the “largest software conference in the world,” <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/11/celebrities-descend-on-san-francisco-for-dreamforce-2023/">boasting appearances from high-profile</a> politicians, A-list celebrities and prominent tech bosses.

Dreamforce 2023: Who are the celebrities descending on San Francisco?

Dreamforce is an annual three-day technology conference in San Francisco, hosted by cloud management company Salesforce. The company says Dreamforce is the “largest software conference in the world,” <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/11/celebrities-descend-on-san-francisco-for-dreamforce-2023/">boasting appearances from high-profile</a> politicians, A-list celebrities and prominent tech bosses.

This year is the 21st iteration of Dreamforce. Around 40,000 people attended the conference last year, much lower than previous years, where <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/09/19/dreamforce-is-back-and-sfs-tourism-industry-couldnt-be-more-thrilled/">attendance reached, on average, roughly 200,000</a>. Dreamforce is expected to draw between 30,000 to 35,000 attendees to Moscone Center this year.

Dreamforce is back, and SF&#8217;s tourism industry couldn&#8217;t be more thrilled

This year is the 21st iteration of Dreamforce. Around 40,000 people attended the conference last year, much lower than previous years, where <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/09/19/dreamforce-is-back-and-sfs-tourism-industry-couldnt-be-more-thrilled/">attendance reached, on average, roughly 200,000</a>. Dreamforce is expected to draw between 30,000 to 35,000 attendees to Moscone Center this year.

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The grandson of J. Robert Oppenheimer — the physicist known as the father of the atomic bomb — said the existential threat to humanity posed by artificial intelligence has not reached the level of nuclear weapons, but world leaders should be on guard.

The grandson of J. Robert Oppenheimer — the physicist known as the father of the atomic bomb — said the existential threat to humanity posed by artificial intelligence has not reached the level of nuclear weapons, but world leaders should be on guard.

&#8220;There&#8217;s this question of whether [AI] is going to improve itself and be as powerful as fission and kill us all,&#8221; Charles Oppenheimer said during a panel Wednesday at Salesforce&#8217;s Dreamforce conference. &#8220;Probably not, at least as far as we know.&#8221;

"There's this question of whether [AI] is going to improve itself and be as powerful as fission and kill us all," Charles Oppenheimer said during a panel Wednesday at Salesforce's Dreamforce conference. "Probably not, at least as far as we know."

&#8220;There&#8217;s this question of whether [AI] is going to improve itself and be as powerful as fission and kill us all,&#8221; Charles Oppenheimer said during a panel Wednesday at Salesforce&#8217;s Dreamforce conference. &#8220;Probably not, at least as far as we know.&#8221;

The conference bills itself as the &#8220;largest AI event in the world,&#8221; with three days of speakers, demos, and even decor overwhelmingly obsessed with the technology.

The conference bills itself as the "largest AI event in the world," with three days of speakers, demos, and even decor overwhelmingly obsessed with the technology.

The conference bills itself as the &#8220;largest AI event in the world,&#8221; with three days of speakers, demos, and even decor overwhelmingly obsessed with the technology.

Oppenheimer is a San Francisco-based investor who has worked with several companies in the software industry, including Salesforce. He also founded the Oppenheimer Project, a nonprofit with a stated goal of advancing technology safely through international cooperation.

Oppenheimer is a San Francisco-based investor who has worked with several companies in the software industry, including Salesforce. He also founded the Oppenheimer Project, a nonprofit with a stated goal of advancing technology safely through international cooperation.

Lately, he said, he&#8217;s been focused on ensuring that nuclear energy is used to help society.

Lately, he said, he's been focused on ensuring that nuclear energy is used to help society.

Lately, he said, he&#8217;s been focused on ensuring that nuclear energy is used to help society.

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Oppenheimer this year signed a&nbsp;<a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/oppenheimer-grandson-ai-warning" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">letter</a>&nbsp;calling on world leaders to consider the risks AI could pose with &#8220;the wisdom and urgency required.&#8221; Other signatories included Richard Branson and pioneering AI scientist Geoffrey Hinton.

Oppenheimer this year signed a&nbsp;<a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/oppenheimer-grandson-ai-warning" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">letter</a>&nbsp;calling on world leaders to consider the risks AI could pose with "the wisdom and urgency required." Other signatories included Richard Branson and pioneering AI scientist Geoffrey Hinton.

Oppenheimer this year signed a&nbsp;<a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/oppenheimer-grandson-ai-warning" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">letter</a>&nbsp;calling on world leaders to consider the risks AI could pose with &#8220;the wisdom and urgency required.&#8221; Other signatories included Richard Branson and pioneering AI scientist Geoffrey Hinton.

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Search Results for: artificial intelligence

Opinion: Google’s deal with publishers shows how to meet AI with innovation, not red tape

State lawmakers send controversial AI safety bill dividing local leaders to Newsom’s desk

ChatGPT CEO reveals his favorite movie. It’s exactly what you’d expect

Oppenheimer’s grandson: AI is ‘probably not’ as big a risk as nuclear weapons

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