OpenAI CEO Warns of Underestimating China's AI Progress

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has expressed concerns that the United States might be underestimating the advancements China is making in artificial intelligence. Altman highlighted the complexity of the AI race between the two nations, suggesting that current U.S. policies, such as export controls, may not be sufficient to address the geopolitical challenges.

During a recent briefing, Altman emphasized that the AI competition is not merely about who is ahead in terms of capabilities. He pointed out that China's ability to build inference capacity quickly and develop domestic alternatives could pose significant challenges to U.S. efforts to maintain a technological edge.

Altman also questioned the effectiveness of the U.S.'s 'China-Safe' chips policy, which aims to restrict semiconductor exports to China. He noted that while the policy is intended to curb China's AI ambitions, it might not be keeping pace with the technical realities, as Chinese companies continue to develop alternatives and workarounds.

The OpenAI CEO's comments come amid ongoing adjustments in U.S. policies aimed at limiting China's access to advanced AI technologies. Despite these efforts, Altman remains skeptical about the long-term effectiveness of such measures, suggesting that a more nuanced approach may be necessary to address the complexities of the U.S.-China AI race.