OpenAI's Next Mission: Building a Smarter Than Human AI

OpenAI, the AI giant behind ChatGPT, has announced its next big ambition: superintelligence. In a recent blog post, CEO Sam Altman revealed that OpenAI believes it has cracked the code for artificial general intelligence (AGI) and is now shifting focus toward developing systems that could surpass human capabilities across most economically valuable tasks.


According to Altman, we might be looking at just a few thousand days before superintelligence becomes a reality. He didn't hold back on the potential impact either, describing it as more intense than most people expect. Altman envisions superintelligent tools driving breakthroughs in science, innovation, and overall prosperity, making today's advancements look like child's play.

But let's go back a bit. AGI, in OpenAI's terms, refers to systems that are highly autonomous and outperform humans in significant areas of work. Microsoft, a major investor and collaborator with OpenAI, has a slightly more financial spin on the term: AI systems capable of generating at least $100 billion in profits. Whichever definition we go with, OpenAI's vision is crystal clear—they're aiming for transformative tech that doesn't just assist humans but radically reshapes industries.

Altman also hinted that 2025 could see AI agents entering the workforce in new ways, significantly boosting company outputs. However, he didn't shy away from acknowledging the current limitations of AI—errors, hallucinations, and hefty operational costs. Despite these challenges, Altman's confidence remains unshaken. He predicts rapid advancements and emphasizes the importance of acting carefully but ambitiously.

The shift toward superintelligence hasn't come without criticism. OpenAI's approach to safety has raised eyebrows, especially since the company recently dissolved teams focused on AI safety and saw several researchers leave due to concerns about its increasingly commercial goals. In response to critics questioning OpenAI's commitment to safety, Altman pointed to the company's track record, but not everyone's convinced.

For now, we'll just have to wait and see how OpenAI navigates this thrilling—and potentially treacherous—path.

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