Mustafa Suleyman, a co-founder of Google DeepMind and current CEO of AI startup Inflection AI, believes that the era of generative AI is a transitional phase in the evolution of artificial intelligence.
In an interview with MIT Technology Review, Suleyman shared his vision for the future, emphasizing the emergence of interactive AI as the next significant step in AI development. Suleyman’s perspective centers on the idea that interactive AI will redefine the capabilities of artificial intelligence. He envisions AI systems as dynamic entities capable of performing tasks by seamlessly interacting with other software and even involving human collaboration to accomplish objectives. This represents a departure from what he describes as the “static” nature of current AI technologies.
According to Suleyman, this shift towards interactive AI represents a profound moment in the history of technology, one that he believes is often underestimated. Unlike the current generative AI models that primarily generate text or media, interactive AI systems would have the autonomy to take actions on their own, provided they have the necessary permissions.
Suleyman’s previous prediction that AI assistants would become ubiquitous within the next five years aligns with his belief in the potential of interactive AI. His own company, Inflection AI, introduced Pi, a chatbot designed to compete with offerings like ChatGPT. Pi focuses on providing personal advice and engaging in conversational interactions.
Currently, the AI landscape is witnessing the rise of generative AI tools that extend beyond simple chat interfaces. Investors anticipate a new wave of AI startups that empower developers to create applications using AI models and seamlessly integrate them with external data sources.
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, introduced a Code Interpreter feature for its chatbot in July, reinforcing the notion that AI can be a valuable companion for complex knowledge work.
However, Suleyman’s perspective emerges in the midst of concerns that the generative AI trend may be overhyped. Data from web analytics firm Similarweb indicated a decline in web traffic to ChatGPT’s website for three consecutive months in August. Some investors have expressed challenges in translating AI hype into successful businesses, with generative AI tools like Jasper and Synthesia experiencing stagnant or declining user growth.
In essence, Mustafa Suleyman’s outlook suggests that the future of AI lies in interactive systems that can collaborate, adapt, and take action, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing evolution of artificial intelligence.