New chatbots powered by artificial intelligence (AI) are giving users the creeps. Apparently, even the inventor of the technology thinks so too.

Sam Altman, the CEO of ChatGPT maker OpenAI, recently claimed that the world may not be “that far away from potentially scary” artificial intelligence. Many observers agree with the assessment, saying that regulating the technology will be crucial.

“AI-based chatbots have the potential to be an incredibly valuable tool for businesses, organizations, and individuals if used responsibly and ethically,” Matan Cohen, director of product at Rakuten Viber, a secure messaging app, told Lifewire in an email interview. “These applications range from improving customer service, to automating tedious tasks, to even helping with mental health. However, we must be aware of the risks of AI, from spreading misinformation and lacking accountability to manipulating users to obtain personal information or promoting fake news and propaganda.”

Altman recently tweeted that the transition to an AI-driven future is “mostly good” and can happen quickly, just like the transition from “the pre-smartphone world to the post-smartphone world.” He pointed to a challenge with AI chatbots that have unnerved some users with their human-like and sometimes uncanny responses.