Ilya Sutskever, co-founder and former chief scientist of OpenAI, ChatGPT’s owner, has announced the launch of a new AI company dedicated to creating safe and advanced AI systems. The company, named Safe Superintelligence Inc. (SSI), has a mission to develop a powerful AI that prioritizes safety above all else.
In his announcement, Sutskever described SSI as a startup uniquely focused on balancing rapid advancement with rigorous safety measures. Unlike other AI companies that face external pressures and management distractions, SSI aims to operate free from short-term commercial influences, allowing it to prioritize long-term safety and security.
“Our business model means safety, security, and progress are all insulated from short-term commercial pressures,” Sutskever stated. “This way, we can scale in peace.”
SSI was co-founded by Daniel Gross, a former AI lead at Apple, and Daniel Levy, a former technical staff member at OpenAI. The company’s leadership team reflects a deep commitment to AI safety, an issue that has driven significant changes in the industry recently.
Leaving OpenAI
Last year, Sutskever spearheaded the effort to remove OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. He left OpenAI in May, suggesting the beginning of a new venture. Following his departure, AI researcher Jan Leike also resigned, criticizing the company’s focus on “shiny products” over safety processes. Similarly, Gretchen Krueger, a policy researcher at OpenAI, cited safety concerns as her reason for leaving.
OpenAI continues its collaborations with major tech companies like Apple and Microsoft. In an interview with Bloomberg, Sutskever said that SSI’s first and only product will be a safe AI system, and the company will not deviate from this mission.
Read the announcement below:
Superintelligence is within reach.
Building safe superintelligence (SSI) is the most important technical problem of our time.
We’ve started the world’s first straight-shot SSI lab, with one goal and one product: a safe superintelligence.
It’s called Safe Superintelligence Inc.
SSI is our mission, our name, and our entire product roadmap, because it is our sole focus. Our team, investors, and business model are all aligned to achieve SSI.
We approach safety and capabilities in tandem, as technical problems to be solved through revolutionary engineering and scientific breakthroughs. We plan to advance capabilities as fast as possible while making sure our safety always remains ahead.
This way, we can scale in peace.
Our singular focus means no distraction by management overhead or product cycles, and our business model means safety, security, and progress are all insulated from short-term commercial pressures.
We are an American company with offices in Palo Alto and Tel Aviv, where we have deep roots and the ability to recruit top technical talent.
We are assembling a lean, cracked team of the world’s best engineers and researchers dedicated to focusing on SSI and nothing else.
If that’s you, we offer an opportunity to do your life’s work and help solve the most important technical challenge of our age.
Now is the time. Join us.
Ilya Sutskever, Daniel Gross, Daniel Levy
June 19, 2024
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