Tech Industry ‘Fumbled’ AI Messaging, Vinod Khosla Says

Billionaire venture capitalist Vinod Khosla said AI development shouldn’t slow down, while also acknowledging that the tech industry has hurt itself with poor messaging.

Khosla, an early investor in OpenAI, said in an interview on Bloomberg TV that he agreed with US President Donald Trump’s push to keep expanding AI. Amid safety concerns, there have been industrywide calls for easing the technology’s development.

“Much more dangerous than AI is AI in the hands of our nation’s adversaries,” Khosla said. “That’s way more dangerous when there’s bad intent behind it.”

Khosla added that AI companies “fumbled” when introducing the new technology to the public by not leading with its benefits, such as reduced downstream costs in areas like healthcare. His critical view is similar to Sam Altman, chief executive officer of OpenAI.

With rising political division and public scrutiny around AI, Khosla also called on the US to create a strategy to protect people — not just jobs — impacted by the technology.

Khosla’s investments span a number of technology companies, and he recently led a group that acquired the Seattle Seahawks, the reigning NFL champions, for $9.6 billion. It marked the largest team sale in league history and the third-biggest sports deal ever.

Aside from the chance to acquire a Super Bowl-winning team, Khosla said his decision to buy the club was so it could act as a hedge to the AI world.

“I think live events, especially live sports, will not be impacted by AI,” Khosla said.