A consortium of technology firms, including OpenAI and Google, has endorsed an open letter advocating for the ethical development of artificial intelligence (AI).
The initiative was spearheaded by Ron Conway, a prominent venture capitalist and philanthropist, alongside his firm, SV Angel. Conway expressed on X (formerly Twitter): “We all share responsibility for building AI that improves lives & unlocks a better future for humanity. @SVAngel makes this pledge, and we are proud to initiate this Open Letter: Build AI for a Better Future.”
The letter articulates the belief that, much like historical innovations such as the printing press, combustion engine, electricity, and the Internet, AI possesses the potential to significantly influence human society. It emphasizes that the outcomes of AI—both positive and negative—will heavily depend on the conscientious choices made by individuals and organizations. The signatories recognize their collective duty to harness the benefits of AI while minimizing associated risks for present and future generations.
To date, over 350 signatures have been gathered, with notable companies such as OpenAI, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Hugging Face among the supporters.
While the letter underscores the importance of creating responsible AI systems characterized by fairness, transparency, and accountability, it notably lacks specific commitments or actionable steps that the signatory companies intend to undertake to fulfill these principles.