While we may still be eagerly awaiting a more intelligent Siri, OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, asserts that the company is already aware of how to develop the much-coveted artificial general intelligence (AGI).
AGI refers to an AI framework capable of matching or surpassing human cognitive skills across a broad spectrum of disciplines—essentially, AI that operates at a level equivalent to or better than ours.
Altman shared these insights in a recent entry on his personal blog.
We are now assured that we know how to construct AGI as it has been traditionally defined. We anticipate that by 2025, we might observe the initial AI agents “joining the workforce” and significantly influencing corporate output. We remain convinced that progressively equipping individuals with extraordinary tools results in positive, broadly-shared outcomes.
We are starting to extend our focus beyond that point, aiming for superintelligence in its truest form. We appreciate our current products, but our vision encompasses a remarkable future. Superintelligent tools could drastically enhance scientific exploration and innovation, far beyond what we can achieve alone, leading to an immense increase in abundance and prosperity.
However, knowing the methodology does not equate to actual capability, and Altman doesn’t specify when this will come to fruition—indicating only that we should anticipate significant breakthroughs in the coming “few years.”
This may sound like a plot from a science fiction story right now, and it might seem a bit outlandish to discuss. That’s perfectly fine—we’ve experienced this before, and we’re prepared to embrace it once more. We are quite confident that in the next few years, everyone will grasp what we perceive, and the necessity to proceed with caution, while still maximizing broad benefits and empowerment, is critically important.
The blog post reflects on past events while looking ahead, with Altman recounting the surprising circumstances surrounding his dismissal.
Just over a year ago, one fateful Friday, the primary issue that unfolded that day was my abrupt firing during a video call, followed immediately by the board publishing a blog about it. I found myself in a hotel room in Las Vegas, and it felt, in a way that’s difficult to articulate, like a nightmarish dream.
Being unexpectedly fired in such a public manner initiated a truly chaotic few hours and an even crazier few days. The “fog of war” was the most surreal aspect. None of us could obtain clear explanations for what had occurred or why.
In my view, the entire incident represented a significant governance failure by well-intentioned individuals, including myself. Reflecting on that moment, I surely wish I could have acted differently, and I believe I have grown into a more thoughtful leader now than I was a year ago.
While Altman may forecast the emergence of true AI, we’re still primarily waiting for an advanced Siri. Even though some enhancements to Apple’s intelligent assistant have rolled out, a fully conversational Siri is not anticipated until 2026 at the earliest.
Photo by Aidin Geranrekab on Unsplash
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