PULSE POINTS:
What Happened: Former OpenAI Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever reportedly discussed building a bunker in preparation for the release of artificial general intelligence (AGI).
Who’s Involved: Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI leadership, CEO Sam Altman, and researchers within the company.
Where & When: OpenAI, summer 2023, leading up to the November 2023 attempted ouster of Altman.
Key Quote: “We’re definitely going to build a bunker before we release AGI,” Sutskever said during a meeting.
Impact: Sutskever’s fixation on AGI and related concerns contributed to internal strife at OpenAI, culminating in his role in an unsuccessful coup against Altman, dubbed “The Blip.”
IN FULL:
OpenAI’s former Chief Scientist, Ilya Sutskever, reportedly suggested constructing a bunker to prepare for the potential risks associated with artificial general intelligence (AGI), according to new details shared by insiders familiar with the 2023 tumult at the top of the artificial intelligence (AI) company. The revelations, which emerged in interviews conducted by journalist Karen Hao, highlight Sutskever’s intense preoccupation with AGI and its implications.
During a summer 2023 meeting, Sutskever reportedly stated, “We’re definitely going to build a bunker before we release AGI.” Two other individuals who attended the meeting corroborated the account, with one describing Sutskever’s AGI beliefs as akin to anticipating a “rapture.”
AGI refers to a form of AI capable of grasping any intellectual tasks a human being can and carrying them out, possibly more effectively. Sutskever, who co-founded OpenAI, has long been vocal about his views on AGI, even claiming in 2022 that some AI models might be “slightly conscious.” His concerns about AGI’s development reportedly deepened by mid-2023, alongside growing dissatisfaction with OpenAI’s handling of the technology.
This unease played a role in Sutskever’s decision to join other board members in a failed attempt to oust CEO Sam Altman in November 2023. However, sources indicated that Sutskever’s resolve wavered as OpenAI employees rallied behind Altman. He later retracted his opposition to Altman’s leadership, though this effort to salvage his position ultimately proved unsuccessful.
The internal turmoil, referred to by OpenAI insiders as “The Blip,” underscores the divisions within the company over its direction and the risks of AGI. Despite Sutskever’s departure, the debate over AGI’s future and its potential consequences continues to loom large over OpenAI and the broader tech industry.
Recently, OpenAI announced it was partnering with a start-up founded by Jony Ive, famous for his work on Apple hardware, especially the design of the iPhone. While neither Ive nor Altman has revealed what sort of hardware product the partnership will produce, it is speculated that it will focus on “physical AI embodiments,” essentially moving the AI technology to other forms besides computers.
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