Sam Altman Says the Main Thing He’s Excited About Next Year Is Achieving AGI

In a recent conversation with Gary Tan, former Y Combinator head and current OpenAI CEO Sam Altman made a surprising announcement. While discussing his excitement for the upcoming year, Altman casually mentioned that he believes artificial general intelligence (AGI) will be achieved within the next year. This bold prediction was swiftly followed by an even more personal revelation – Altman shared that he and his husband are expecting a child.

Altman’s priorities certainly raised some eyebrows, as he seemed more thrilled about the prospect of AGI than becoming a parent. This unconventional sequence of announcements left many wondering about Altman’s unique outlook on life.

However, Altman’s confidence in AGI’s imminent arrival is not a new development. Just days prior to his conversation with Tan, Altman had shared with the “20VC” podcast that he believes AGI will come and go within five years. He envisions a rapid advancement in technology, with society itself remaining relatively unchanged.

Despite Altman’s optimism, concerns within OpenAI have been growing. The recent departure of AGI readiness expert Miles Brundage, citing the company’s lack of preparedness for the implications of AGI, has raised doubts about OpenAI’s ability to handle such groundbreaking technology responsibly.

With Altman’s statements normalizing the idea of an impending AGI future, questions arise about the actual proximity of human-level AI and whether OpenAI is the right entity to oversee it.

The juxtaposition of Altman’s personal and professional revelations highlights the complex intersection of technological progress and personal milestones. As we inch closer to the potential reality of AGI, it becomes crucial to consider the ethical and societal implications of such advancements.