Day 3 Axios House Davos
Day 3 Axios House Davos
2. The Democratization of AI
Leading technology trailblazers and globalpolicymakers shared their insight on the future of AI and its futureimplementation into society.
OpenAI's next big model "will be able to do a lot,lot more" than the existing models can, CEO Sam Altman told Axios’ InaFried in an exclusive interview.
Why it matters: Altman says AI is evolving much more rapidly than previous technologies thattook Silicon Valley by storm. But he also conceded that the evolution andproliferation of OpenAI's technology will require "uncomfortable"decisions, Axios’ Ryan Heath writes.
• Altmanbelieves future AI products will need to allow "quite a lot of individualcustomization" and "that's going to make a lot of peopleuncomfortable," because AI will give different answers for differentusers, based on their values preferences and possibly on what country theyreside in.
• OpenAI'smodels should, for example, be allowed to say things about gay people thatAltman doesn't personally agree with, but which stop short of inciting hate andviolence.
What's coming: We are headed towards a new way of doing knowledgework, Altman said.
• Soon,"you might just be able to say 'what are my most important emailstoday,'" and have AI summarize them.
• Altmansays AI advances will "help vastly accelerate the rate of scientificdiscovery." He doesn't expect that to happen in 2024, "but when ithappens it's a big, big deal.
In a separate interview at the same event, Palantir CEO and co-founder Alex Karp told Axios'Mike Allen that within 10 years, around 95% of the world's top techcompanies will be American thanks to the U.S. lead in AI.
Why it matters: Karp predicted that in time AI will deliver very large GDPgrowth — but that will benefitonly a handful of countries and companies, leading to political and social"dislocation," Axios’ Ryan Heath writes.
• A"strong military gets stronger, strong software companies get stronger,people who are in a weaker position get much weaker," he said.
• Yes, but:A "crazy political situationand GDP growth? That's much better than [a] nice political situation and no GDPgrowth," Karp said.
Go Deeper.
• Exclusive: Altmansays ChatGPT will have to evolve in “uncomfortable” ways
• Palantir CEO AlexKarp: U.S. eating everyone's lunch on AI
3. 'The big picture' highlights
1 big thing podcast host & editor Niala Boodhoo and Axios co-founder & CEO Jim VandeHei in today’s ‘The big picture’ discussion, describe what they’re seeing and hearing firsthand on the ground at the 2024 World Economic Forum in Davos.
Why it matters: CEOs can interact with global political leaders all in one place, hear from them, and analyze how it will affect their individual business.
Quick take: Jim says CEOs at WEF are talking about root causes of social, political and economic volatility. He says one of the biggest causes of volatility is AI and new technology. • “It makes people nervous about whether or not they're going to lose their job, makes business leaders excited that they might be able to do things more efficiently, more effectively.”The bottom line: Last year, CEOs at WEF were discussing AI and it remains top of mind for them this year. AI is still in its young stages and businesses are still learning about its various applications and how it will affect their business.
Sponsored content:
In a View From the Top conversation with Axios publisher Nicholas Johnston, Qualcomm chief sustainability officer Angela Baker says that at WEF, there’s a lot of focus around getting accurate data on emissions because “there’s a lot of regulation coming for it.”
Thank you to Qualcomm for sponsoring this ‘The big picture’ conversation.
4. Finding a Voice: DEI’s Corporate Role
As 2024 begins, DEI programs and corporate initiatives face an uncertain future within businesses. Human resources leaders and journalists shared insight on the state of play around what’s next for DEI at Axios House. What they’re saying: DEI isn’t going anywhere, but it’s changing, Cisco EVP and Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer Francine Katsoudas told Axios’ Sara Kehaulani Goo. • “What I see at this moment is transformation. I see evolution. I do not see eradication.”Zoom in: Katsoudas says leaders’ performance is based on how people are treated and how they ensure a good career for employees.
Separately, MSNBC/NBC News Anchor Richard Lui told Axios’ Niala Boodhoo about his organization, Prisca, and its newly released report on inclusion at work. • What they found: 38% of Black workers in Silicon Valley say they discussed or thought about lawsuits based on how they’ve been treated in the workplace.
5. AI and Predictive Technologies
AI has the potential to drastically change how industries forecast future outcomes. Technology and industry leaders discussed the impact AI-powered predictive technologies could have on society and the economy. Flagship Pioneering Founder & CEO Noubar Afeyan says he has “no interest in adding years, vain years to rich people’s lives.” • Instead, he says there should be more of a focus on people’s healthspan and “trying to understand a disease before it’s a disease.”
• Yes, but: There are no incentives within the healthcare system, plus with the added on regulatory burdens, it prevents technology from being fully implemented for predictive measures, Afeyan toldAxios’ Ryan Heath.Separately, Afeyan says he doesn’t support limitations on collaborating with scientists in China. • Why it matters: More partnerships and corporations are coming under scrutiny for working with partners in China as worry continues to grow when it comes to national and economic security.
• Afeyan says “science is supposed to be free” but also cautions collaboration that could break laws or increase security concerns.One Davos takeaway: This year’s theme at WEF is rebuilding trust, which Afeyan calls an “interesting juxtaposition.” • He says trust is becoming a metaphysical issue and that in this current climate of uncertainty, some may be mistaking uncertainty for risk “and we're mistaking trust for what it really means.”
