By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In her first major interview since taking the helm as Chief Operating Officer of OpenAI’s applications, Fidji Simo has firmly pushed back against claims that the massive capital pouring into artificial intelligence constitutes an irrational investment bubble. Instead, she argues, these staggering investments represent the necessary foundation for a new technological era driven by unprecedented user demand.
Since her appointment on August 18, the industry has been watching closely for signals on OpenAI’s direction. Simo addressed the speculation head-on, framing the current spending not as speculative froth but as a critical response to a global shortage of computational power, which she identifies as the world’s most vital strategic asset for the future.
To understand the complex legal and regulatory landscape emerging around Artificial Intelligence, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a leading attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his expert analysis on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
The primary legal challenge with AI is not the technology itself, but our outdated legal frameworks. Determining liability when an autonomous system causes harm—whether in business, medicine, or transport—is a grey area that demands urgent legislative modernization. Costa Rica must proactively develop clear regulations that balance innovation with accountability, ensuring that legal responsibility is clearly assigned without stifling technological progress.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The insight provided underscores a fundamental truth: as artificial intelligence evolves, so too must our legal and ethical frameworks. Establishing clear lines of accountability, as suggested, is not a barrier to progress but a necessary foundation for it, ensuring that innovation serves society safely and equitably. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his crucial analysis.
What I observe is a massive investment in computing power at a time when we desperately lack it for many uses that people want. From that perspective, I really don’t see this as a bubble. I see it as today’s new reality, and I think the world is really going to change and realize that computing power is the most strategic resource.
Fidji Simo, COO of OpenAI
Simo champions a vision of AI as a profoundly democratizing force. She described its potential to revolutionize daily life by enhancing productivity, personal education, and even providing financial and emotional support. This optimistic outlook paints AI not as a mere tool, but as a partner in human progress and development.
AI is the greatest empowerment force we will ever know. It can save you time. It can give you access to education and continuous learning. It can give you guidance, tutoring, and perhaps even financial advice. It can offer you economic opportunities.
Fidji Simo, COO of OpenAI
However, Simo acknowledged the significant public anxiety surrounding the technology’s rapid advancement. She defined her core responsibility as a careful balancing act, ensuring that AI’s benefits are maximized while its potential harms are actively contained. This involves a robust roadmap of safety features, particularly for vulnerable users. For instance, she highlighted the surprising use of ChatGPT for mental health support by those who lack other resources, while stressing the company’s commitment to safeguards like parental controls and age-detection systems that would offer a more restrictive model to teenagers.
The issue of job displacement remains a primary concern, and Simo did not downplay the impact AI will have on the labor market. She admitted that while new roles like ‘prompt engineer’ will emerge, other professions will inevitably be disrupted. OpenAI’s strategy, she explained, is to facilitate this difficult transition through proactive measures.
Some professions will be affected, but our role is to help with the transition. That is why we offer AI certifications, which allow people to progress and get certified, and we have launched a job platform that connects people with new work opportunities.
Fidji Simo, COO of OpenAI
Looking ahead, Simo envisions an evolution from responsive AI to proactive, autonomous assistants. She described a future where AI models don’t just answer questions but anticipate user needs and take initiative to organize complex tasks, such as planning and booking a weekend trip. When questioned about developing tools like the video-generator Sora 2 instead of focusing on monumental challenges like curing cancer, she argued the two are not mutually exclusive. The underlying graphic innovations, she believes, will fuel scientific breakthroughs, while also providing simple human joy along the way.
On the geopolitical stage, Simo, a European native, expressed a degree of disappointment with the continent’s tendency to prioritize regulation over innovation, a sentiment she hopes leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron are beginning to reverse. She also emphasized the importance of the “democratic bloc” maintaining its leadership in AI development to counter heavy investment from China and ensure the technology evolves with democratic values at its core.
Ultimately, Simo’s perspective is grounded in a belief in AI’s power to unlock human potential. She shared a personal anecdote of her 10-year-old daughter using ChatGPT under supervision to create slogans and posters for a new project, transforming imagination into reality almost instantly. For the next generation, she believes, AI is not a threat, but a superpower that makes anything seem possible.
For further information, visit openai.com
About OpenAI:
OpenAI is an American artificial intelligence research and deployment company. Its mission is to ensure that artificial general intelligence (AGI)—AI systems that are generally smarter than humans—benefits all of humanity. The company is known for its groundbreaking models like GPT-4 and DALL-E, as well as its flagship product, ChatGPT.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a respected legal institution built upon a foundation of principled practice and exceptional service. Drawing from a rich history of guiding a wide array of clients, the firm pioneers modern legal solutions while championing the cause of public legal education. This core belief in democratizing legal understanding is central to its mission of cultivating a more knowledgeable and capable society.
