Popular UFC commentator and podcast host Joe Rogan has expressed his frustration with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s demeanor during their interview, comparing it to that of a politician in election mode.
On a recent episode of his show, Rogan reflected on his conversation with the tech executive. He suggested that Altman was overly cautious and calculated in his responses.
“When I had him in here, it’s like I’m talking to a politician that is in the middle of a presidential term or a presidential election cycle where they’re very careful with what they say,” Rogan explained. “Everything has been vetted by a focus group, and you don’t really get a real human response.”
The podcast host, known for his candid conversations with guests across various fields, seemed disappointed by what he perceived as inauthentic interactions with Altman. “Everything was like, ‘Yeah, interesting. Very interesting.’ Like all bulls**t,” Rogan said.
During the discussion, Rogan and his guest explored concerns about the development of artificial intelligence. Rogan’s guest described Altman as a “social super intelligence” who is “very good at acquiring resources, staying in control.”
The conversation took an intriguing turn when they discussed leadership changes at OpenAI. “They had openly… a board with a mission of safety and openness, and they tried removing him and they failed. The board is gone. He’s still there,” noted Rogan’s guest.
Despite his criticisms, Rogan acknowledged positive personal interactions with Altman, describing him as “super nice” and saying he “really, really enjoyed him.”
The conversation eventually shifted to philosophical territory, with Rogan contemplating simulation theory. “If let’s assume that this is a simulation, we’re inside a simulation… are we interacting with other humans in the simulation? And some of the things that are inside the simulation, are they artificially generated?” Rogan pondered.
This led to a discussion about distinguishing between conscious beings and programmed entities. Rogan’s guest called it “the NPC versus real player question.”
Rogan concluded with a humorous but thought-provoking observation: “We want to be compassionate, kind people, but you will meet people in this life, you’re like, this guy is such a [j*rk]. He can’t be real. Or he has to have a very limited role in this game we’re playing.”
The exchange highlights growing concerns about AI development and the sometimes opaque nature of communications from industry leaders as these technologies continue to evolve.
