Shifting geopolitics in the age of AI: A conversation with Sam Altman

The past year and a half has been transformative for artificial intelligence (AI), with generative AI tools capturing the public imagination. While U.S. companies have led this development, America’s competitors and adversaries may not be far behind. Moreover, as AI technologies advance, the demand for energy infrastructure, semiconductor chip production capability, and data center capacity is expected to accelerate.

In acknowledgment of AI’s pivotal role in driving progress and fostering innovation, it is crucial to address the risks for misuse and exploitation. With elections happening across the globe, AI has shaped the discourse and heightened concerns about misinformation and disinformation. Likewise, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza have raised profound concerns about the military applications of AI. These challenges prompt critical questions: How can we effectively counter AI-driven election interference? What principles should guide its responsible use? And how can America and its allies maintain the lead in developing this new technology?

On May 7, the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology at Brookings hosted Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, for a virtual conversation moderated by Michael O’Hanlon and Valerie Wirtschafter.

Online viewers submitted questions via email to [email protected] and on X (formerly Twitter) @BrookingsFP using #AIGeopolitics.