We're sunsetting PodQuest on 2025-07-28. Thank you for your support!
Export Podcast Subscriptions
cover of episode Inside OpenAI's Empire
People
K
Karen Hao
Topics
Karen Hao: 我最初对OpenAI抱有良好印象，希望了解他们如何定义和追求其使命，即确保通用人工智能（AGI）造福全人类。然而，在与多位员工交流后，我发现他们对AGI的定义含糊不清，对投入巨额资金的原因也缺乏明确的阐述。OpenAI内部存在严重的信息不透明，员工在分享信息时顾虑重重，但他们明确表示必须率先开发出AGI，以塑造行业规范，这与他们公开宣称的合作精神相悖。我认为Sam Altman是一位讲故事的天才，擅长通过故事进行融资和招募人才，但他为了说服他人，会说出别人想听的话，但这可能与他的真实想法或事实不符，这导致他成为一位混乱的管理者。OpenAI早期运营混乱，因为他们试图构建一个定义模糊的东西，且缺乏管理经验。OpenAI的非营利模式模仿学术实验室，Ilya Satskever扮演教授角色，研究人员各自进行项目，缺乏统一理论，Satskever负责指导方向。Greg Brockman专注于编码，没有参与组织方向的构建，导致OpenAI缺乏明确方向，但他们认为有充足的资金支持。在这种情况下，OpenAI就像一个奇怪的、富有的游乐场，人们漫无目的地四处奔走。

Deep Dive

Chapters
This chapter explores OpenAI's journey from a non-profit research lab with a focus on safe AI to a for-profit entity seeking to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI). It details the shift in funding, the involvement of key figures like Sam Altman and Elon Musk, and the internal conflicts that led to this transformation.
  • OpenAI's initial mission was to conduct fundamental AI research with no commercial focus.
  • A billion-dollar investment from Microsoft marked a shift towards a for-profit model.
  • Conflicts arose between Elon Musk and Sam Altman regarding the leadership of the for-profit entity.
  • The pursuit of AGI required significant funding, necessitating the for-profit transition.

Shownotes Transcript

OpenAI started as a non-profit dedicated to building safe A.I. Now, they’re obsessed with building artificial general intelligence by any means necessary - even if they don’t quite know what that is. 

Guest: Karen Hao), reporter and author of “Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI)”

Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at__ slate.com/whatnextplus__)__ __to get access wherever you listen.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices)