During a wide-ranging conversation with CBS Dean Costis Maglaras, Hoffman discussed the challenges of integrating AI into the global economy and managing the technology's explosive growth. He also made the case for policymakers to define specific outcomes rather than regulate AI with broad strokes and risk stifling innovation.
“What we are doing is creating the cognitive industrial revolution—the steam engine of the mind. AI greatly amplifies what we are capable of,” Hoffman said. “The steam engine allowed you transport, logistics, and manufacturing. AI is now that but in cognitive and language characteristics.”
Hoffman is well versed in AI's growth. In 2022, he co-founded Inflection AI, a studio dedicated to developing generative AI applications, such as the personal assistant Pi. He also serves as a partner at Greylock, a venture capital firm that has invested heavily in AI applications, infrastructure, and foundation models.
Hoffman warned that while there is value in open sourcing AI software to accelerate growth—something he became familiar with while serving on the board of Mozilla—bad actors can easily take advantage of its capabilities. While open source databases and web browsers are often benign, open source AI software has the potential to benefit election interference, cybercriminals, and rogue states. He added that the 2024 US election season will likely see the use of open source AI models to spread misinformation.
If open sourcing were limited to academic institutions or well-meaning entrepreneurs, Hoffman noted, he would support the practice. “But the problem with open sourcing is, once the model gets out of the barn, it's out there infinitely.”
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