An AI researcher and safety officer at ChatGPT creator OpenAI has quit the company, expressing deep concerns about the pace at which artificial intelligence is developing. Steven Adler, who joined OpenAI in March 2022—just months before the launch of ChatGPT—revealed his resignation amid fears about the future of AI.
“Honestly I’m pretty terrified by the pace of AI development these days,” Adler shared on social media. He went on to capture his personal anxieties, questioning, “When I think about where I’ll raise a future family, or how much to save for retirement, I can’t help but wonder: Will humanity even make it to this point?” His comments highlight significant concerns about the rapid advancement toward artificial general intelligence (AGI).
Adler's departure arrives at a pivotal moment as the AI industry sees new competitors entering the field. Just days before his resignation, Chinese startup DeepSeek unveiled its own AI model, directly challenging ChatGPT and other established products from American tech firms. This shift adds urgency to discussions surrounding AI safety and regulation as the global race for AGI heats up.
OpenAI’s chief executive, Sam Altman, has frequently articulated his goal of achieving AGI—which he insists should be beneficial to all humanity. Yet Adler's comments reflect skepticism about the controls and safety measures surrounding this pursuit. He critiqued the current state of research by stating, “An AGI race is a very risky gamble, with huge downside.”
Warnings from leading AI researchers echo Adler’s fears: there’s growing concern about the potential consequences of AGI outpacing human control. A survey conducted among AI researchers last year found many believed there was at least a 10% chance AGI could lead to existential catastrophes for humanity.
“No lab has a solution to AI alignment,” Adler reiterated, emphasizing the difficulties organizations face when attempting to match AI goals with human ethics. He argued, “And the faster we race, the less likely anyone finds one in time.” This sense of urgency is underscored by the recognition of competitive pressures among labs, with some potentially willing to cut corners to keep pace.
Adler lamented the state of the industry with concern, indicating, “Today, it seems like we’re stuck in a really bad equilibrium. Even if a lab truly wants to develop AGI responsibly, others can still cut corners to catch up, maybe disastrously.” This sentiment questions the integrity of safety protocols as organizations rush to innovate.
His resignation raises important questions about the future of AI development—particularly the need for established safety regulations. Adler concluded with a call to action: “I hope labs can be candid about real safety regs needed to stop this.” His words serve as both a warning and a plea for the industry to adopt responsibility as it forges ahead.
With the AI sector growing more competitive every day, the debate over safety and ethical standards becomes increasingly significant. Industry leaders and researchers will need to navigate this complex arena carefully to avoid the dire scenarios voiced by figures like Steven Adler. The future of AI development now hinges not just on its capabilities but also on the ethical frameworks put in place to govern its use and advancements.