Something fishy: Global AI, military leaders met in a closed-door meeting in Utah, US

In a notable gathering that preceded the recent leadership changes at OpenAI, a group of AI and military leaders convened for a discreet three-day retreat in the mountains of Utah.

Hosted by the startup Scale AI, a data security contractor catering to entities such as OpenAI and the US Army, the AI Security Summit aimed to foster candid discussions on industry challenges.

According to a Bloomberg report the invite-only summit took place at a luxury hotel near Park City, Utah, where attendees, including representatives from the military and AI sector, engaged in off-the-record conversations.

Notably, the summit coincided with talks between President Joe Biden and China’s President Xi Jinping in San Francisco, where AI regulations were among the discussed topics.

While the summit featured discussions on critical issues like the pace of AI advancement and the potential evolution of artificial general intelligence (AGI), there seemed to be no foreknowledge of the subsequent leadership changes at OpenAI, which occurred just days after the event.

The summit’s atmosphere blended serious discussions with recreational activities, as attendees selected custom cowboy hats, enjoyed gourmet meals, and participated in an archery lesson where a lighthearted remark captured the essence of the gathering.

Bloomberg’s Rachel Metz, the sole journalist present, agreed not to directly quote participants or reveal specific details.

While some general information about the event has surfaced, such as panel discussions covering topics like US-China AI relations and in-depth examinations of AI-enabling chips, the summit remains shrouded in mystery due to the confidential nature of the discussions.

The intertwined nature of work and recreation in the tech world, particularly within the realms of AI leadership and military contractors, was evident throughout the summit.

(With inputs from agencies)