WASHINGTON — House Democrats and Republicans will host a dinner on Capitol Hill next week with Sam Altman, executive director of OpenAI, which developed the popular artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT, according to an invitation obtained by NBC News.
The closed-door, members-only event, planned for Monday night after House votes, comes as Washington tries to figure out how, if at all, to create rules and regulate the AI industry moving quickly.
The bipartisan dinner is hosted by GOP Conference Vice President Mike Johnson, R-La., and Democratic Caucus Vice President Ted Lieu, D-Calif., who made headlines this year when he introduced a resolution written by ChatGPT calling for Congress to regulate AI.
The goal of Altman’s dinner is to “educate members,” said Lieu, who shared the invitation with NBC News. More than 50 legislators have confirmed his attendance at the dinner, she said.
Johnson framed the meeting in more serious terms.
“We have all realized the extraordinary potential and unprecedented threat that artificial intelligence presents to humanity, and the urgent calls for Congress to get involved and act carefully before it is too late,” Johnson said. «This bipartisan discussion with Mr. Altman will be a very timely and important part of this process.»
The dinner will be one of several appearances on Capitol Hill for Altman. He will testify before Congress for the first time on Tuesday, appearing before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee on privacy and technology led by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.
«Artificial intelligence urgently needs rules and safeguards to cope with its immense promise and dangers,» Blumenthal said in a statement. «This hearing kicks off the work of our Subcommittee to oversee and illuminate advanced algorithms and powerful AI technology.»
Last week, Vice President Kamala Harris convened a White House meeting with Altman and other chief technology officers about the opportunities, but also the potential dangers, of emerging self-learning, generative AI technology. The Biden administration that day announced new steps to promote «responsible» AI innovation while protecting people’s rights and safety, including a $140 million investment to create seven new AI research institutes.
And top lawmakers warn that if Congress doesn’t act soon, the US will fall behind China, which is already moving forward with proposed AI regulations.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., said he has been working with experts and colleagues on a legislative framework that outlines new regulations for AI. Last month, tech billionaire Elon Musk visited Schumer on Capitol Hill for a discussion that focused on AI.