Summers, who also sits on the boards of Block Inc. and Skillsoft Corp, has previously led the Treasury Department in the Clinton administration, served as an economic adviser in the Obama administration, and was president of Harvard University. He has warned of the labor impact of AI, disputing claims that AI would not replace American jobs for 50 to 100 years, and cautioning against the US losing its lead in biotech and AI to China.
Key takeaways:
- Larry Summers, a former US treasury secretary, has been appointed as a board member at artificial intelligence startup OpenAI, and has emphasized the importance of the company operating as a "corporation with a conscience."
- Summers stated that OpenAI must be prepared to cooperate with key government officials on regulatory issues, national security issues, and development of technology issues.
- His appointment comes after a leadership dispute at OpenAI, which resulted in the dismissal and later reinstatement of CEO Sam Altman, and the resignation of a majority of the board.
- Summers has previously expressed concerns about the impact of AI on labor, disputing claims that AI would not replace American jobs for 50 to 100 years and warning of economic catastrophe if the US loses its lead in biotech and AI to China.