Magic Hammers
Wake up babe new AI model just dropped
With the release of OpenAI’s hyped new model that “can reason,” here are my thoughts on what I’ve been reading recently about large language models and AI safety. While these models don’t justify the fantastic claims made about them—at least not yet—we need to take steps now to ensure that future AI is safe.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reportedly wants to raise $7 trillion to increase the supply of graphical processing units (GPUs) for use in artificial intelligence. Last year, Altman—who has a reputation for being smart, charming, and full of shit—was fired by OpenAI’s board of directors. OpenAI’s board had a specific mandate to provide independent oversight to ensure OpenAI develops advanced AI safely, a task Altman himself has said is perhaps “the most important project in human history.” Board member Helen Toner—who I’ve interacted with professionally a few times but don’t really know—said Altman had lied to the board about OpenAI’s safety processes and about his financial stake in OpenAI’s business. OpenAI has since been accused by insiders of bypassing its safety team and of stifling dissent within the company. But Altman was rehired a few days after he was fired after investors revolted and hundreds of employees threatened to quit. While OpenAI’s board had the legal authority and arguably the responsibility to fire Altman, it didn’t ultimately have the power to do so. Toner and fellow board member Tasha McCauley—both of whom left after Altman was reinstated—have called for government regulation of advanced AI development. “Based on our experience,” they write, “we believe that self-governance cannot reliably withstand the pressure of profit incentives.”
