Dialogue at UTokyo GlobE #14: Talk Event with Mr. Sam Altman (CEO of OpenAI)

On Monday, February 3, 2025, Dialogue at UTokyo GlobE #14 held an event with Mr. Sam Altman (CEO of OpenAI) and their CPO (Chief Product Officer), Mr. Kevin Weil as part of its “Dialogue” series. President Teruo Fujii and Executive Vice President Kaori Hayashi welcomed the two guests, along with 36 students whose major ranged from engineering to medicine to philosophy. Professor Yujin Yaguchi, Director of the Center for Global Education (GlobE), served as the moderator.

At the beginning of the event, the Inami/Monnai Laboratory of the University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology showed and explained the "JIZAI ARMS" as an example of many exciting research activities taking place at the university. Afterwards, President Fujii and EVP Hayashi had a brief discussion on the use and future of AI with Mr. Altman and Mr. Weil, followed by a question-and-answer session between the speakers and participants.

President Fujii and EVP Hayashi emphasized the need for equitable access to AI and for the skills needed in this AI age. They also exchanged views with Mr. Altman and Mr. Weil about the significance of “co-evolution of AI and society.”

Students had many questions, including about the robotics, space engineering and ethics of AI as well as seeking advice for starting business. They also wanted to know more about the future of research and services that OpenAI will offer. Accordingly, the answers Mr. Altman and Mr, Weil offered touched on many subjects. The two argued that AI will transform education not just in 100 years, but in the very near future (Open AI’s “Deep Research” was released just before the dialog session began).

Finally, the two guests asked the audience what kind of services students would like to see OpenAI provide, and the students came up with ideas such as "AI that can support the development of tangible objects as well as code" and "AI that is not perfect, but can contribute to the betterment and happiness of society by being close to human emotions.”


About Dialogue at UTokyo GlobE: This series is part of UTokyo's global education initiatives, designed to foster international understanding and broaden global perspectives among students. It features dialogues between distinguished global leaders and the University's President and Executive Directors.