OpenAI’s Sam Altman Says ‘We Know How To Build AGI’

In a statement about the future of AI, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed confidence in the company’s ability to achieve artificial general intelligence (AGI)—a milestone long pursued by the tech industry.

In a recent blog post, Altman outlined OpenAI’s next ambitious goal: the creation of true superintelligence. He envisions AI agents not only matching but surpassing human intelligence, unlocking unprecedented opportunities for scientific discovery, innovation, and economic growth.

“We love our current products, but we are here for the glorious future,” Altman said.

This shift in focus from AGI to superintelligence comes with a recalibration of expectations. While OpenAI has historically defined AGI as “AI systems that are generally smarter than humans,” Altman recently tempered public perceptions, suggesting AGI may have less impact than initially anticipated.

OpenAI’s relationship with Microsoft plays a significant role in its journey toward AGI and superintelligence. The two companies are tied by exclusivity agreements until OpenAI officially declares the achievement of AGI. However, internal definitions and profitability concerns may complicate this partnership. Reports suggest Microsoft considers AGI a system capable of generating $100 billion in profits—a benchmark that OpenAI has yet to meet.

Financial challenges persist. Altman revealed that OpenAI is losing money on its $200-per-month ChatGPT Pro subscriptions due to higher-than-expected usage. “I personally chose the price and thought we would make some money,” Altman admitted in a candid post on X (formerly Twitter).

Reflecting on the tumultuous events of late 2023, including his brief departure from OpenAI and subsequent hiring by Microsoft, Altman acknowledged failures in governance. He described the episode as “a big failure of governance by well-meaning people, myself included.” Since returning to OpenAI, Altman has worked to consolidate leadership and strengthen governance structures.

Looking ahead, OpenAI plans to transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit organization. “Good governance requires a lot of trust and credibility… We are committed to ensuring that AGI benefits all of humanity,” Altman emphasized.

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