With ChatGPT recently marking its second anniversary, Altman outlines OpenAI’s achievements, ongoing challenges, and vision for the future of AI.

“The second birthday of ChatGPT was only a little over a month ago, and now we have transitioned into the next paradigm of models that can do complex reasoning,” Altman reflects.

A bold mission to achieve AGI and superintelligence

OpenAI was founded in 2015 with a clear, albeit bold, mission: to develop AGI and ensure it benefits all of humanity.

Altman and the founding team believed AGI could become “the most impactful technology in human history.” Yet, he recalls, the world wasn’t particularly interested in their quest back then.

“At the time, very few people cared, and if they did, it was mostly because they thought we had no chance of success,” Altman explains.

Fast forward to 2022, OpenAI was still a relatively quiet research facility testing what was then referred to as ‘Chat With GPT-3.5.’ Developers had been exploring the capabilities of its API, and the excitement sparked the idea of launching a user-ready demo.

This demo led to the creation of ChatGPT, which Altman acknowledges benefited from “mercifully” better branding than its initial name. When it launched on 30 November 2022, ChatGPT proved to be a tipping point.

“The launch of ChatGPT kicked off a growth curve like nothing we have ever seen—in our company, our industry, and the world broadly,” he says

OpenAI has since witnessed an evolution marked by staggering interest, not just in its tools but in the broader possibilities of AI.

Building at breakneck speed  

Altman admits that scaling OpenAI into a global tech powerhouse came with significant challenges.

“In the last two years, we had to build an entire company, almost from scratch, around this new technology,” he notes, adding, “There is no way to train people for this except by doing it.”

Operating in uncharted waters, the OpenAI team often faced ambiguity—making decisions on the fly and dealing with the inevitable missteps.

“Building up a company at such high velocity with so little training is a messy process,” Altman explains. “It’s often two steps forward, one step back (and sometimes, one step forward and two steps back).”

Yet, despite the chaos, Altman credits the team’s resilience and ability to adapt.

OpenAI now boasts over 300 million weekly active users, a sharp increase from the 100 million reported just a year ago. Much of this success lies in the organisation’s ethos of learning by doing, combined with a commitment to putting “technology out into the world that people genuinely seem to love and that solves real problems.”

‘A big failure of governance’

Of course, the journey so far hasn’t been without turmoil. Altman recounts a particularly difficult chapter from November 2023 when he was suddenly ousted as CEO, briefly recruited by Microsoft, only to be reinstated by OpenAI days later amid industry backlash and staff protests.

Speaking openly, Altman highlights the need for better governance structures in organisations tackling critical technologies like AI.  

“The whole event was, in my opinion, a big failure of governance by well-meaning people, myself included,” he admits. “Looking back, I certainly wish I had done things differently, and I’d like to believe I’m a better, more thoughtful leader today than I was a year ago.”

The episode served as a stark reminder of the complexity of managing rapid growth and the stakes involved in AI development. It also drove OpenAI to forge new governance structures “that enable us to pursue our mission of ensuring that AGI benefits all of humanity.”

Altman expressed deep gratitude for the support OpenAI received during the crisis from employees, partners, and customers. “My biggest takeaway is how much I have to be thankful for and how many people I owe gratitude towards,” he emphasises.

Pivoting towards superintelligence  

Looking forward, Altman says OpenAI is beginning to aim beyond AGI towards the development of “superintelligence”—AI systems that far surpass human cognitive capabilities.

“We are now confident we know how to build AGI as we have traditionally understood it,” Altman shares. OpenAI predicts that by the end of this year, AI agents will significantly “join the workforce,” revolutionising industries with smarter automation and companion systems.

Achieving superintelligence would be especially transformative for society, with the potential to accelerate scientific discoveries, but also poses the most significant dangers.

“We believe in the importance of being world leaders on safety and alignment research … OpenAI cannot be a normal company,” he notes, underscoring the need to approach innovation responsibly.

OpenAI’s strategy includes gradually introducing breakthroughs into the world, allowing for society to adapt alongside AI’s rapid evolution. “Iteratively putting great tools in the hands of people leads to great, broadly-distributed outcomes,” Altman argues.

Reflecting on the organisation’s trajectory, Altman admits OpenAI’s path has been defined by both extraordinary breakthroughs and significant challenges—from scaling teams to navigating public scrutiny. 

“Nine years ago, we really had no idea what we were eventually going to become; even now, we only sort of know,” he says.

What remains clear is his unwavering commitment to OpenAI’s vision. “Our vision won’t change; our tactics will continue to evolve,” Altman claims, attributing the company’s remarkable progress to the team’s willingness to rethink processes and embrace challenges.

As AI continues to reshape industries and daily life, Altman’s central message is evident: While the journey has been anything but smooth, OpenAI is steadfast in its mission to unlock the benefits of AI for all.

“How lucky and humbling it is to be able to play a role in this work,” Altman concludes.

See also: OpenAI funds $1 million study on AI and morality at Duke University

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The earlier suit had primarily focused on claims that OpenAI had breached its founding agreement to keep the company’s technology open source. The fresh complaint, however, takes a more aggressive stance.

Musk’s legal team alleges that Altman and Brockman “assiduously manipulated Musk into co-founding their spurious non-profit venture” by making promises about OpenAI’s safety and transparency that set it apart from profit-driven alternatives. The lawsuit goes so far as to claim that assurances about OpenAI’s nonprofit structure were “the hook for Altman’s long con.”

Marc Toberoff, Musk’s lawyer, told The New York Times, “This is a much more forceful lawsuit.” Indeed, the new suit ups the ante by accusing OpenAI of breaching federal racketeering laws in what it describes as a conspiracy to defraud Musk.

The complaint paints a picture of extensive deception, alleging that Altman and OpenAI lured Musk into co-founding the organisation under false pretences of AI safety and openness. Musk claims he invested significant resources and recruited top scientists based on these assurances, only to see the company pivot towards a profit-making model that compromised its original mission.

The lawsuit details allegations of self-dealing and conflicts of interest by Altman, which Musk argues led to their falling out and ultimately compromised OpenAI’s founding principles. Reports of withheld technology and a compromised Board of Directors have raised serious ethical concerns about the company’s operations and future direction.

Furthermore, the lawsuit takes aim at OpenAI’s partnership with Microsoft. It claims that the contract between the two tech giants includes a clause that would revoke Microsoft’s rights to OpenAI’s technology once artificial general intelligence (AGI) is achieved. This allegation, if proven true, could have far-reaching implications for the future of AI development and corporate partnerships in the tech industry.

The legal action seeks not only damages and restitution but also punitive measures against the defendants for allegedly exploiting Musk’s contributions. The tech billionaire is pushing for Altman to be divested of what the lawsuit describes as “ill-gotten gains” resulting from the alleged deception.

Musk’s complaint goes beyond mere contractual disputes, invoking serious legal charges including fraud, breach of contract, wire fraud, and violations of RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) law against Altman, Brockman, and OpenAI.

The revival of Musk’s legal battle against OpenAI comes at a time of increasing scrutiny of AI technologies and their potential impact on society. As one of the original co-founders of OpenAI, Musk’s allegations carry significant weight and could potentially reshape the narrative around the company’s evolution from a non-profit to a for-profit entity.

However, it’s worth noting that OpenAI has consistently maintained that its transition to a “capped-profit” model was necessary to secure the funding required for its ambitious AI research and development goals. The company has also emphasised its commitment to developing AI in a responsible and beneficial manner.

The tech community and legal experts will be watching closely as this case progresses, given its potential to set precedents for how AI companies are held accountable to their stated missions and founding principles.

(Photo by Jonathan Kemper)

See also: Meta’s AI strategy: Building for tomorrow, not immediate profits

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including Intelligent Automation Conference, BlockX, Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.

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The legal battle, unfolding in the Superior Court of California for the County of San Francisco, revolves around OpenAI’s departure from its foundational mission of advancing open-source artificial general intelligence (AGI) for the betterment of humanity.

Musk was a co-founder and early backer of OpenAI. According to Musk, Altman and Greg Brockman (another co-founder and current president of OpenAI) convinced him to bankroll the startup in 2015 on promises that it would remain a nonprofit.

In his legal challenge, Musk accuses OpenAI of straying from its principles through a collaboration with Microsoft—alleging that the partnership prioritises proprietary technology over the original ethos of open-source advancement.

Musk’s grievances include claims of contract breach, violation of fiduciary duty, and unfair business practices. He calls upon OpenAI to realign with its nonprofit objectives and seeks an injunction to halt the commercial exploitation of AGI technology.

At the heart of the dispute is OpenAI’s recent launch of GPT-4 in March 2023. Musk contends that unlike its predecessors, GPT-4 represents a shift towards closed-source models—a move he believes favours Microsoft’s financial interests at the expense of OpenAI’s altruistic mission.

Founded in 2015 as a nonprofit AI research lab, OpenAI transitioned into a commercial entity in 2020. OpenAI has now adopted a profit-driven approach, with revenues reportedly surpassing $2 billion annually.

Musk, who has long voiced concerns about the risks posed by AI, has called for robust government regulation and responsible AI development. He questions the technical expertise of OpenAI’s current board and highlights the removal and subsequent reinstatement of Altman in November 2023 as evidence of a profit-oriented agenda aligned with Microsoft’s interests.

See also: Mistral AI unveils LLM rivalling major players

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Altman, who was recently ousted by OpenAI’s board for reasons that have had no shortage of speculation, has found a new home at Microsoft. The announcement came after unsuccessful negotiations with OpenAI’s board to reinstate Altman.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella – who has long expressed confidence in Altman’s vision and leadership – revealed that Altman and Brockman will lead Microsoft’s newly established advanced AI research team.

Nadella expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, “We’re extremely excited to share the news that Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, together with colleagues, will be joining Microsoft to lead a new advanced AI research team. We look forward to moving quickly to provide them with the resources needed for their success.”

The move follows Altman’s abrupt departure from OpenAI. Former Twitch CEO Emmett Shear has been appointed as interim CEO at OpenAI.

Altman’s role at Microsoft is anticipated to build on the company’s strategy of allowing founders and innovators space to create independent identities, similar to Microsoft’s approach with GitHub, Mojang Studios, and LinkedIn.

Microsoft’s decision to bring Altman and Brockman on board coincides with the development of its custom AI chip. The Maia AI chip, designed to train large language models, aims to reduce dependence on Nvidia.

While Microsoft reassures its commitment to the OpenAI partnership, valued at approximately $10 billion, it emphasises ongoing innovation and support for customers and partners.

As Altman and Brockman embark on leading Microsoft’s advanced AI research team, the industry will be watching closely to see what the high-profile figures can do with Microsoft’s resources at their disposal. The industry will also be observing whether OpenAI can maintain its success under different leadership.

(Photo by Turag Photography on Unsplash)

See also: Amdocs, NVIDIA and Microsoft Azure build custom LLMs for telcos

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Recently, Geoffrey Hinton – the so-called “Godfather of AI” – expressed his worries about the possibility of superintelligent AI surpassing human capabilities and causing catastrophic consequences for humanity.

Similarly, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, the company behind the popular ChatGPT chatbot, admitted to being fearful of the potential effects of advanced AI on society.

In response to these concerns, OpenAI has announced the establishment of a new unit called Superalignment.

The primary goal of this initiative is to ensure that superintelligent AI does not lead to chaos or even human extinction. OpenAI acknowledges the immense power that superintelligence can possess and the potential dangers it presents to humanity.

While the development of superintelligent AI may still be some years away, OpenAI believes it could be a reality by 2030. Currently, there is no established system for controlling and guiding a potentially superintelligent AI, making the need for proactive measures all the more crucial.

Superalignment aims to build a team of top machine learning researchers and engineers who will work on developing a “roughly human-level automated alignment researcher.” This researcher will be responsible for conducting safety checks on superintelligent AI systems. 

OpenAI acknowledges that this is an ambitious goal and that success is not guaranteed. However, the company remains optimistic that with a focused and concerted effort, the problem of superintelligence alignment can be solved.

The rise of AI tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard has already brought significant changes to the workplace and society. Experts predict that these changes will only intensify in the near future, even before the advent of superintelligent AI.

Recognising the transformative potential of AI, governments worldwide are racing to establish regulations to ensure its safe and responsible deployment. However, the lack of a unified international approach poses challenges. Varying regulations across countries could lead to different outcomes and make achieving Superalignment’s goal even more difficult.

By proactively working towards aligning AI systems with human values and developing necessary governance structures, OpenAI aims to mitigate the dangers that could arise from the immense power of superintelligence.

While the task at hand is undoubtedly complex, OpenAI’s commitment to addressing these challenges and involving top researchers in the field signifies a significant effort towards responsible and beneficial AI development.

(Photo by Zac Wolff on Unsplash)

See also: OpenAI’s first global office will be in London

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Altman highlighted the potential benefits of AI technologies like ChatGPT and Dall-E 2 to help address significant challenges such as climate change and cancer, but he also stressed the need to mitigate the risks associated with increasingly powerful AI models.

Altman proposed that governments consider implementing licensing and testing requirements for AI models that surpass a certain threshold of capabilities. He highlighted OpenAI’s commitment to safety and extensive testing before releasing any new systems, emphasising the company’s belief that ensuring the safety of AI is crucial.

Senators Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal expressed their recognition of the transformative nature of AI and the need to understand its implications for elections, jobs, and security. Blumenthal played an audio introduction using an AI voice cloning software trained on his speeches, demonstrating the potential of the technology.

Blumenthal raised concerns about various risks associated with AI, including deepfakes, weaponised disinformation, discrimination, harassment, and impersonation fraud. He also emphasised the potential displacement of workers in the face of a new industrial revolution driven by AI.

Altman’s call for regulation aligns with concerns raised by AI experts and ethicists, including former Google researchers Dr Timnit Gebru and Meredith Whitaker. They argue that the rapid adoption of AI is overhyped and fails to deliver inherent social good. 

Whitaker highlighted the concentration of power in the hands of a few tech companies and their ability to shape social and political landscapes through AI technologies. She expressed concerns about the existing power dynamics and emphasised the need for a more equitable distribution of AI capabilities.

Whitaker cautioned against the notion that AI will automatically lead to social good or equal access for all, arguing that it is a fantasy propagated for marketing purposes. She stressed the importance of acknowledging the concentration of power and the need to ensure that AI is harnessed for the benefit of society as a whole.

As AI continues to advance, the conversation surrounding its regulation and responsible deployment becomes increasingly important. Balancing the potential benefits with the risks and ensuring equitable access and distribution of AI technologies are key challenges that policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders must address collectively.

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The event is co-located with Digital Transformation Week.

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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman spoke remotely at an MIT event and was quizzed about AI by computer scientist and podcaster Lex Fridman.

Altman confirmed that OpenAI is not currently developing a fifth version of its Generative Pre-trained Transformer model and is instead focusing on enhancing the capabilities of GPT-4, the latest version.

Altman was asked about the open letter that urged developers to pause training AI models larger than GPT-4 for six months. While he supported the idea of ensuring AI models are safe and aligned with human values, he believed that the letter lacked technical nuance regarding where to pause.

“An earlier version of the letter claims we are training GPT-5 right now. We are not, and won’t for some time. So in that sense, it was sort of silly,” said Altman.

“We are doing things on top of GPT-4 that I think have all sorts of safety issues that we need to address.”

GPT-4 is a significant improvement over its predecessor, GPT-3, which was released in 2020. 

GPT-3 has 175 billion parameters, making it one of the largest language models in existence. OpenAI has not confirmed GPT-4’s exact number of parameters but it’s estimated to be in the region of one trillion.

OpenAI said in a blog post that GPT-4 is “more creative and collaborative than ever before” and “can solve difficult problems with greater accuracy, thanks to its broader general knowledge and problem-solving abilities.”

In a simulated law bar exam, GPT-3.5 scored around the bottom 10 percent. GPT-4, however, passed the exam among the top 10 percent.

OpenAI is one of the leading AI research labs in the world, and its GPT models have been used for a wide range of applications, including language translation, chatbots, and content creation. However, the development of such large language models has raised concerns about their safety and ethical implications.

Altman’s comments suggest that OpenAI is aware of the concerns surrounding its GPT models and is taking steps to address them.

While GPT-5 may not be on the horizon, the continued development of GPT-4 and the creation of other models on top of it will undoubtedly raise further questions about the safety and ethical implications of such AI models.

(Photo by Victor Freitas on Unsplash)

Related: ​​Italy will lift ChatGPT ban if OpenAI fixes privacy issues

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GPT-3 arrived in 2020. An improved version, GPT-3.5, powers the ChatGPT chatbot.

During a video interview with StrictlyVC, Altman responded to expectations that GPT-4 will come in the first half of the year by saying: “It’ll come out at some point, when we are confident we can do it safely and responsibly.”

OpenAI has never rushed the release of its models due to concerns about the societal impact. The ability to generate mass amounts of content could exacerbate issues like misinformation and propaganda.

A paper (PDF) from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies’ Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism found that GPT-3 is able to generate “influential” text that has the potential to radicalise people into far-right extremist ideologies.

OpenAI originally provided access to GPT to a small number of trusted researchers and developers. While it developed more robust safeguards, a waitlist was then introduced. The waitlist was removed in November 2021 but work on improving safety is an ongoing process.

“To ensure API-backed applications are built responsibly, we provide tools and help developers use best practices so they can bring their applications to production quickly and safely,” wrote OpenAI in a blog post.

“As our systems evolve and we work to improve the capabilities of our safeguards, we expect to continue streamlining the process for developers, refining our usage guidelines, and allowing even more use cases over time.”

Excitement around GPT-4 is growing and wild claims are emerging.

One of the viral claims is that GPT-4 will feature 100 trillion parameters, up from GPT-3’s 175 billion. On this claim, Altman was quite succinct in calling it “complete bullshit”.

Altman goes on to express his view that such speculation is unhealthy and not realistic at this point.

“The GPT-4 rumour mill is a ridiculous thing. I don’t know where it all comes from,” commented Altman. “People are begging to be disappointed.”

“The hype is just like… We don’t have an actual AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) and that is sort of what is expected of us.”

While it’s clear that Altman wants the community to temper its expectations, he is happy to say that a video-generating model will come—although won’t put a timeframe on when.

“It’s a legitimate research project. It could be pretty soon; it could take a while,” said Altman.

Models to generate video would require the ultimate safeguards. Many people know they can’t trust everything they read and a growing number know that images can also be generated with relative ease.

Manipulated video, such as deepfakes, are already proving to be problematic. People are easily convinced by what they think they can see.

We’ve seen deepfakes of figures like disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried to commit fraud, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to disinform, and US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to defame and make her appear drunk.

OpenAI is doing the right thing by taking its time to minimise risks and keeping expectations in check.

(Photo by Niklas Kickl on Unsplash)

Relevant: Microsoft releases Azure OpenAI Service and will add ChatGPT ‘soon’

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