The Abrupt Firing of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman : Why The Federal Government Should Treat This As A Matter of National Security

On a late Friday night blog post, OpenAI, a leading AI research lab known for its groundbreaking work in artificial intelligence, abruptly dismissed its CEO, Sam Altman. Regardless of whether you liked Sam Altman or not, this news sent shockwaves through the AI industry, followed by several high-profile resignations in protest following the announcement. Several sources close to the matter described the termination of Altman as "a coop", and this personally does not sit well with me. While I generally advocate for minimal government intervention in private businesses, there are certain situations where this stance must be reconsidered. The case of OpenAI's sudden leadership change is one such instance. This blog post argues that the federal government should view this development as a matter of national security, given OpenAI's significant impact on the U.S. economy and technological landscape.

The significance of OpenAI in the contemporary tech world cannot be overstated. Over the past few years, OpenAI has not only been at the forefront of AI research but has also become an integral part of the United States' economic and technological infrastructure. Many businesses, ranging from startups to established corporations, have either developed tools utilizing ChatGPT and OpenAI's APIs or have integrated services that rely on OpenAI's technology. This deep integration into the business ecosystem underscores the strategic importance of OpenAI in the broader U.S. economy.

The abrupt firing of Sam Altman raises several concerns. Firstly, the sudden nature of this decision, particularly given Altman's pivotal role in steering the company, is alarming. It signals a potentially unstable leadership structure within an organization that controls a technology as influential as ChatGPT. Secondly, the fact that this major decision was influenced by just four board members is a startling revelation about the concentration of power within OpenAI. Such a power dynamic could lead to decisions that might not align with the broader interests of the public or the economy.

This situation is reminiscent of the treatment of monopolies or businesses that exert significant control over the economy. In those cases, government intervention is often necessary to ensure fair practices and prevent any one entity from wielding disproportionate influence. While OpenAI is not a monopoly in the traditional sense, its technological advancements and widespread reliance on its products grant it a similar level of influence.

Although, as I stated before, I am not a fan of the US Government getting involved with private businesses, the government routinely does get involved when they feel a company has too much control or influence in the market or when there are issues of "National Security". This was the reason for the congressional investigations into Facebook, Amazon, Google and Tik Tok. I would argue that OpenAI is just as important as these other tech companies, and maybe even more important in many ways. 

The U.S. economy has grown increasingly dependent on OpenAI's technology. Billions of dollars have been invested in the company, indicating its importance not only as a business entity but also as a national asset. The federal government, therefore, has a vested interest in ensuring that the governance of such a critical organization is stable, transparent, and aligned with national interests. Needless to say, there are also some military implications involving OpenAI's innovations that could be used against The United States if a foreign power was allowed to influence a company like this. 

In conclusion, while the government's involvement in private businesses should generally be limited, the unique case of OpenAI, especially following the abrupt dismissal of Sam Altman, warrants a closer look. It's a matter of balancing the autonomy of a private enterprise with the broader implications for national security and economic stability. The United States Congress should immediately open a congressional investigation into this matter and subpoena Altman, and members of the OpenAI board to discuss what exactly lead to this decision and get a better understanding of what implications this might have when it comes to the economic fallout and if there are issues of national secuity. The federal government's oversight in this situation could ensure that OpenAI continues to operate in a manner that benefits the U.S. economy and maintains the country's competitive edge in the global AI race.