In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, revealed his plans to secure further financial backing from Microsoft as he pushes ahead with his vision to create artificial general intelligence (AGI). Altman expects that Microsoft, along with other investors, will continue to support OpenAI's mission to develop computer software as intelligent as humans. The partnership between OpenAI and Microsoft has been fruitful so far, and Altman is optimistic about raising more funds to cover the high costs associated with building more sophisticated AI models.
OpenAI's Partnership with Microsoft
Altman expressed satisfaction with the collaboration between OpenAI and Microsoft's CEO, Satya Nadella. Microsoft invested $10 billion in OpenAI earlier this year, which valued the San Francisco-based company at $29 billion. Altman hopes that Microsoft will continue to invest in OpenAI, acknowledging the substantial expenses required for training AI models. Altman emphasized the mutually beneficial nature of the partnership, stating that both companies will make money on each other's success.
Building a Business Model around ChatGPT
OpenAI recently announced a suite of new tools and upgrades to its existing model, GPT-4, at an event attended by Satya Nadella. These tools include custom versions of ChatGPT that can be tailored for specific applications and a GPT Store, akin to Apple's App Store, where popular GPT creators can earn revenue. Altman clarified that OpenAI's ultimate product is intelligence itself and that their current offerings are channels into that single product. To expand their enterprise business, Altman has hired executives like Brad Lightcap, who previously worked at Dropbox and startup accelerator Y Combinator, as the company's chief operating officer.
Advancing Towards Artificial General Intelligence
Altman divides his time between research into how to build superintelligence and finding ways to increase computing power. OpenAI aims to develop more autonomous agents capable of performing complex tasks like executing code, making payments, sending emails, and filing claims. Altman believes that the business value derived from these agents will be significant. Regarding the next generation of AI models, Altman mentioned GPT-5 but did not commit to a specific timeline for its release. He emphasized the importance of predicting the model's capabilities from a safety perspective while acknowledging the technical challenges.
Overcoming Challenges and Looking Towards the Future
OpenAI relies on Nvidia's advanced H100 chips for training its AI models, but Altman acknowledged the supply shortages and high demand for these expensive chips. However, he expressed optimism about the situation improving in the coming year. Altman also highlighted the competitive landscape, with other players such as Google, Microsoft, AMD, and Intel preparing to release rival AI chips. Altman believes that language models are crucial for building AGI and expressed his belief that OpenAI's approach has been superior to that of competitors like Google DeepMind.
Conclusion
Sam Altman's interview sheds light on OpenAI's ongoing efforts to develop artificial general intelligence. With Microsoft's support and the continuous refinement of their AI models, OpenAI is making strides towards achieving its ambitious goals. Altman's focus on building a business model around ChatGPT and his commitment to driving advancements in AGI demonstrate OpenAI's determination to lead the field of generative AI. As OpenAI continues to push the boundaries of AI research, it remains an exciting company to watch in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
