Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI’s Former Chief Scientist, Launches New AI Startup

Ilya Sutskever, one of OpenAI’s co-founders and former Chief Scientist, has announced he will launch a new startup company called Safe Superintelligence Inc. (SSI) with former Y Combinator partner Daniel Gross and ex-OpenAI engineer Daniel Levy just a month after leaving the famous AI company.

Before he departed from OpenAI, Ilya Sutskever was a core part of the company’s goal to improve AI safety with the constant rise of “Superintelligent” AI systems, dubbed OpenAI’s Superalignment team. There, he paired up with Jan Leike, and the pair made a name for themselves in 2023 when they published a blog post about AI surpassing humans in a decade and the need for research on AI safety.

Yet, despite their accomplishments, both Sutskever and Leike left the company in May after a falling out with leadership at OpenAI over how to approach AI safety. Nevertheless, the two are eager to continue their vision, with Ilya Sutskever announcing SSI while Leike heads a team at Anthropic.

Ilya Sutskever Unveils Safe Superintelligence Inc. (SSI) Vision

On Wednesday, Ilya Sutskever announced on X: “I am starting a new company” called Safe Superintelligence Inc. (SSI), and its vision is all about “one goal and one product”, creating a safe and powerful AI system.

I am starting a new company: https://t.co/BG3K3SI3A1

— Ilya Sutskever (@ilyasut) June 19, 2024

The SSI account highlighted: “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.”

While there were slight digs at renowned companies like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft with the phrase “Our singular focus means no distraction by management overhead or product cycles”, it is not malicious, and it is a testament to Ilya Sutskever’s commitment to his goal of AI safety.

Ilya Sutskever’s Falling Out with OpenAI

If you were not here for the entire OpenAI and Sam Altman’s fiasco, here is a brief reminder. Last year, Sutskever and other OpenAI board members led the push to oust OpenAI CEO Sam Altman as the two, along with the other directors, clashed over the guardrails OpenAI had established in pursuing advanced AI technology.

The situation initially ended with Altman’s departure before a sudden reinstatement and Ilya Sutskever’s swift apology on X. “I deeply regret my participation in the board’s actions. I never intended to harm OpenAI. I love everything we’ve built together and will do everything I can to reunite the company.”

Then, Sutskever stayed low in the company with little mention of his future, leading some to speculate the whole ordeal was a publicity stunt. However, in mid-May, Sutskever announced he was leaving OpenAI while hinting at a new project “in due time”.

Related: OpenAI and The New York Times Lawsuit Update: OpenAI Alleged Times’ Unethical Practices with ChatGPT Usage

The Pursuit of AI Safety

As AI evolves, ensuring its safety has become an undeniable concern for researchers, policymakers, and the broader public. However, the pursuit of AI safety involves a multifaceted approach aimed at preventing harm and maximising the benefits of AI technologies, which Jan Leike describe safety processes have “taken a backseat to shiny products”.

For example, we have seen companies such as OpenAI backtrack on their original identity as a non-profit organisation. However, SSI is being designed from the ground up as a for-profit entity. Thus, Ilya Sutskever’s SSI could harness the transformative potential of AI while mitigating its risks, as the company has the only goal of securing AI safety.

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