OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Meets with Prominent Business Leaders in Japan

Yesterday, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman met with business leaders in Japan including SoftBank Group Chairman Masayoshi Son. In a report by NikkeiAsia, Altman also took some time to speak with college students at a seminar at Keio University in Tokyo.

According to the same report, the OpenAI CEO had been meeting with company executives “pretty nonstop” since his arrival in Japan. “We are in the middle of [a] trip around the world,” he said, “getting to learn about what people [would] like us to do, what they are using this technology for [and talking] about different ways to do regulatory approach.”

This trip comes at a time when concerns about the impact of generative AI continue to grow worldwide. Multiple nations are currently attempting to understand how, and if, the technology requires regulation with many tech leaders claiming it does.

During last month’s G7 Summit in Hiroshima, global regulations concerning AI were a hot topic with the leaders of the seven wealthiest nations working to cooperate on the subject by the end of the year.

Sam Altman agrees that it’s an important issue and stated that the industry itself is trying to work with the same concerns. While speaking at Keio University he stated. “Getting the balance right between moving fast enough that people get the benefits but also making sure we are able to address the concerns is big.”

He also warned that some of the solutions being considered, such as framework development for AI and safety tests “will slow down development somewhat.” Though that’s a major possibility, he sees it as a required move saying in part, “But I think it’s worth it.”

Officially, his trip to Japan was to meet with business leaders. OpenAI didn’t specify what its CEO and the Japanese business leaders wanted to discuss. But it’s clear that OpenAI is hoping to capture market share by partnering with SoftBank Group’s telecommunications unit as it was considering generative AI enhancements.

Of the matter, Altman said, “all the different ways we can work together.” But he also was clear that everything was in “very early discussion.” If you’re interested in his full speech to students at Keio University, you can watch it below: