OpenAI and Microsoft's (MSFT) multi-billion dollar partnership is one of the most important and enviable in AI But, despite the mutual rewards, the relationship between the two technology players has been strained due to the speed of AI development, according to the report. to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. “I'm not going to pretend there aren't disagreements or challenges, obviously there are,” Altman admitted yesterday (Dec. 4) during The New York Times' Dealbook Summit, where he also discussed his company's ongoing struggles with rival Elon Musk and outlined OpenAI's Progress towards more advanced forms of AI
Recent reports suggest that OpenAI and Microsoft's five-year bromance has grown in intensity as Altman's company appeals for increased computing power. While Altman disputed speculation that their relationship would end, he noted that “at various times, the compute crunches” at his company. “There is no 'tension,' but in all our motivations are really consistent.”
One person Altman is undoubtedly at odds with, however, is Musk. One of OpenAI's original founders, Musk is currently suing OpenAI for alleged backsliding on its innovation work and has even launched his own AI debut, xAI, to challenge OpenAI's dominance. The state of their relationship is “very sad,” according to Altman.
“I grew up with Elon as a big hero, I thought what Elon was doing was the most amazing thing in the world,” he said. “I have mixed feelings about it now, but I'm still glad he's here.”
If Altman is worried that Musk's new role for the government and his strong relationship with President-elect Donald Trump could affect his company's future, he's not showing it. “It would be un-American to use political power to the extent that Elon has to hurt your competitors and benefit your businesses,” he said. “I don't think people can tolerate it; I don't think Elon can do it.”
Despite concerns in tech circles about a potential plateau for the AI model, Altman is incredibly optimistic about the speed of the technology's development. “I expect that by 2025, we will have programs that people look at—even people who are skeptical of current progress—and say, 'Wow, I didn't expect that,'” the CEO said. Like many tech leaders, he's excited about the recent pivot to AI agents, which Altman believes will dominate the next year of AI.
The main goal of OpenAI is to achieve a type of AI known as artificial general intelligence (AGI) that matches or surpasses human abilities. This rate will be reached sooner than most people expect, according to Altman, who predicted that its initial economic effects will be disastrous but will eventually lead to major industrial changes and, inevitably, job shifts. “I expect the economic disruption to last longer than people think, but it will be more intense than people think.”
