OpenAI and Anthropic CEOs brief UN security council on AI safety

Sam Altman, chief executive of OpenAI, and Dario Amodei, co-founder of Anthropic, addressed the United Nations security council on Wednesday in separate briefings focused on artificial-intelligence safety. Altman, speaking in person for about ten minutes, highlighted the technology’s potential to boost productivity and creativity while warning that its development should be guided by democratic institutions rather than isolated laboratories. > "If AI is to be democratic, the most important decisions cannot be made by labs in San Francisco alone. They must be shaped through democratic processes and by governments accountable to the people they serve," he said.

Altman called for a balanced approach that keeps AI under human control, ensures it benefits society, and empowers individuals. He cautioned against extreme pessimism and urged collaborative governance.

Amodei participated via video link and reiterated calls for global oversight, including a ban on using AI to create biological weapons and the establishment of international testing standards. > "If managed poorly, I even believe that AI could be a risk to humanity as a whole," he warned, adding that Anthropic aims to maintain a strong safety record.

Both executives emphasized the need for coordinated regulation as public concern over AI’s risks has risen following recent warnings from researchers. Their remarks come amid broader debates about slowing AI development and establishing worldwide safety frameworks.