Altman backs broad AI access despite risks

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said AI should remain broadly available even as it creates risks, arguing that “the world should accept some bad things happening for the benefits of this technology and people having the agency.” He rejected the idea that a single lab should control access to powerful systems and said OpenAI favors a lighter-touch regulatory approach.

The comments landed alongside a federal push from President Donald Trump, who announced a new “Super Intelligence Force” to coordinate government efforts and keep the United States ahead in AI. The White House said the task force will have 120 days to examine risks, opportunities and possible government responses, including AI-enabled threats, incident reporting and existing legal authorities.

New York City lawmakers also questioned representatives from OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta and Google about safety, accountability and law enforcement uses. Company officials stopped short of guaranteeing that AI agents would always obey safeguards, while Google said existing laws apply to AI and that “if it’s illegal without AI, it’s still illegal with AI.”