OpenAI unveils plans for a new AI model to surpass GPT-4 while addressing safety concerns through the establishment of a Safety and Security Committee, amidst criticism and organizational shifts within the company.
OpenAI has announced it is training a new flagship AI model to succeed GPT-4, the technology behind its popular chatbot, ChatGPT. The San Francisco-based AI company aims to achieve artificial general intelligence (AGI), creating machines capable of performing any human brain task. This new model will enhance products like chatbots, digital assistants, search engines, and image generators.
In response to rising concerns about AI’s potential risks, OpenAI has established a Safety and Security Committee. This committee will evaluate and develop policies to manage AI-related risks and is expected to present its recommendations within 90 days. The committee includes OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and board members Bret Taylor, Adam D’Angelo, and Nicole Seligman. The company hopes to finalize safety policies by late summer or fall.
OpenAI has faced criticism from various quarters, including actress Scarlett Johansson, who claimed an updated version of GPT-4 used a voice eerily similar to hers without her consent. The company denied the claim, stating the voice was generated by another actor. This incident underscores ongoing concerns about intellectual property and privacy as AI technology evolves.
Furthermore, OpenAI has experienced organizational shake-ups. Cofounder Ilya Sutskever and executive Jan Leike, who led the Superalignment team focused on AI safety, recently resigned. Their departure has raised questions about OpenAI’s commitment to long-term safety precautions. John Schulman, another cofounder, will now lead safety research.
Competitors like Google, Meta, Microsoft, and new entrants like xAI, led by Elon Musk, continue to advance AI technology, fueled by significant investments. As OpenAI moves forward with its new model, it remains to be seen how the company will navigate the ethical and technological challenges ahead.
