AI Expert Says Development Process Has Become Increasingly Opaque
In a Forbes interview, AI Now's Sarah Myers West addressed the feasibility of agentic supreme intelligence and the obligations of AI developers. She noted that the development process has grown more opaque and stressed that policymakers must quickly understand the technology. The conversation came after a former Anthropic researcher publicly warned about potential existential harm.
Sarah Myers West, co-executive director of the AI Now Institute, discussed the current trajectory of AI development in a Forbes interview, emphasizing that the field has become significantly less transparent in recent years. She argued that policymakers face a steep learning curve if they are to meaningfully regulate or oversee the technology, and that developers bear a responsibility to clarify what their systems can and cannot do.
The interview follows a public warning from Jacob Coxon, a former researcher at Anthropic, who stated that many AI developers genuinely believe the technology could pose an existential threat to humanity within the decade. West's remarks on opacity add a governance dimension to that concern, suggesting that even well-intentioned oversight efforts may be hampered by a lack of visibility into how advanced systems are built.
This story could shape public trust in AI companies, as growing opacity may fuel skepticism about industry claims of safety and responsibility. Policymakers, regulators, and everyday users could all be affected if development practices remain difficult to scrutinize. The combination of insider warnings and expert calls for transparency may pressure companies to disclose more, though whether that leads to meaningful change or merely performative openness remains uncertain.