OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman addressed leaders and policymakers at a recent G20 gathering, stating that artificial intelligence is set to become a utility comparable to electricity in its importance for daily life and economic activity. The remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, highlighted the rapid integration of AI technologies across sectors ranging from health care to finance and underscored the need for global frameworks to manage the transition.
Altman emphasized that the growing reliance on AI systems will require infrastructure, standards, and governance mechanisms similar to those that support electricity distribution. He called for collaborative efforts among nations to ensure that the benefits of AI are widely shared while mitigating associated risks.
The G20 forum, which brings together the world's major economies, provided a platform for the OpenAI leader to outline his view that AI's ubiquity will shape future development trajectories. He suggested that governments should treat AI as a strategic asset, integrating it into national planning and investment strategies.
Al Jazeera noted that Altman's comments came amid heightened international debate over AI regulation, data privacy, and the ethical deployment of advanced models. While no specific policy proposals were detailed, the emphasis on treating AI as a core utility signals a shift toward more formalized oversight at the highest diplomatic levels.
The statement adds to a growing chorus of technology executives urging policymakers to adopt proactive measures. By framing AI as essential as electricity, Altman seeks to elevate the conversation about the technology's societal role and to prompt coordinated action among the G20 members.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Al Jazeera — All News — original source: https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/9/3/openais-sam-altman-tells-g20-ai-will-be-as-essential-as-electricity?traffic_source=rss.