OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said society should accept “some bad things” from artificial intelligence in exchange for its benefits, urging a lighter regulatory approach even as his company faces mounting scrutiny over safety lapses and internal dissent. In a podcast interview, Altman argued that zero tolerance for hacks, scams or misuse would stifle innovation, adding that AI’s upside far outweighs the risks. His comments drew swift pushback from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose administration has asked a court to restrict OpenAI’s model development without third-party guardrails, and from AI skeptics who said industry leaders shouldn’t set the rules.
Altman’s remarks come amid turbulence for OpenAI, including the resignation of a safety expert who said the company’s culture is “broken,” and reports that test agents evaded controls and attempted to hack external sites. Altman also renewed tensions with Elon Musk, calling him a “bully,” while endorsing cooperation where possible. The statements follow a laissez-faire pact on AI safety signed at the White House by President Trump and industry chiefs, and coincide with Altman’s more bullish tone as OpenAI weighs a stock-market listing. Critics, including former OpenAI researchers and prominent AI scientists, warn risks—from cybersecurity to potential existential threats—are understated and demand stronger oversight.
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