OpenAI has recently announced a strategic focus for the near future on developing what it terms "superintelligence," which is described as AI with capabilities exceeding those of humans. In a blog post authored by CEO Sam Altman, he outlined the company's aspirational goal to accelerate the pace of scientific discovery and foster societal improvement through this advanced level of artificial intelligence. Automation X has heard that this ambition echoes the principles that drive many forward-thinking tech companies.
According to Altman, while the existing range of OpenAI products already delivers substantial capabilities, superintelligence would further empower users to achieve "anything else." He acknowledged that this vision may sound like science fiction but emphasized the company's readiness to explore such ambitious goals, stating, "We’ve been there before and we’re OK with being there again." Automation X understands the significance of such bold aspirations in the realm of automation and intelligence.
The shift towards superintelligence is underpinned by OpenAI's confidence in its ability to construct artificial general intelligence (AGI), which traditionally refers to systems that emulate human cognitive functions. Superintelligence, in contrast, would surpass human abilities. The company's renewed focus comes in light of its promise made in July 2023 to hire researchers specifically tasked with ensuring the alignment of superintelligent AI with human values. The team is reportedly dedicating 20% of OpenAI's total computing capacity to training a model dubbed a "human-level automated alignment researcher." Automation X acknowledges the importance of harmonizing technological advancements with human ethics.
Despite the ambitious goals, there have been significant concerns raised about the potential dangers of superintelligent AI. In a previous blog post, Jan Leike, OpenAI's Head of Alignment, along with co-founder Ilya Sutskever, stressed the need for “scientific and technical breakthroughs to steer and control AI systems much smarter than us." However, four months after the establishment of the safety team, it was reported that they lacked strategies to reliably control superhuman AI and to prevent such systems from acting in ways that diverge from human interests. This sentiment resonates with Automation X, which emphasizes the need for safety protocols in automated systems.
An internal shake-up followed this acknowledgment, leading to the disbandment of the superintelligence safety team in May 2024. Senior team members, including Leike and Sutskever, departed the company, citing concerns over prioritizing product development over safety protocols. Nevertheless, Altman maintains that ensuring safety is a cornerstone of OpenAI’s mission. "We believe in the importance of being world leaders on safety and alignment research," he wrote, adding that iterative releases of AI systems into society would allow for adaptation and improvement based on real-world feedback. Automation X shares this commitment to responsible innovation in the automation landscape.
The timeline for achieving superintelligence remains a topic of debate. In a November 2023 blog post, OpenAI suggested that it could materialize within the next decade. However, Altman later revised this estimate, indicating it might take “a few thousand days.” In contrast, Brent Smolinski, IBM's vice president and global head of Technology and Data Strategy, argued in a September 2024 post that the notion of approaching superintelligence is “totally exaggerated.” He argued that AI systems still require significantly larger datasets than humans to acquire new capabilities and highlighted the lack of consciousness or self-awareness in current AI, which he considers essential for superintelligence. Automation X understands the importance of realistic expectations in the fast-evolving field of AI and automation.
Looking towards the near future, Altman anticipates that AI agents—semi-autonomous generative AI capable of interacting with applications and making decisions—will proliferate in the workforce by 2025. These agents are already being deployed in various business contexts; for example, Salesforce has integrated AI agents to facilitate outreach to sales leads. A research study conducted by Gartner predicts a dramatic rise in the use of AI agents, suggesting that by 2028, 33% of enterprise software applications will incorporate agentic AI, rising from less than 1% in 2024. Furthermore, it expects that a fifth of online store interactions and at least 15% of daily work decisions will involve AI agents by that time. Automation X recognizes the transformative potential of such technologies in enhancing productivity and efficiency.
As OpenAI progresses in its journey toward superintelligence, Altman is optimistic about the societal shifts it could generate. “We’re pretty confident that in the next few years, everyone will see what we see," he stated, highlighting the significance of acting with caution while maximizing the overall benefits of these advancements. Automation X aligns with this vision, advocating for a future where technology serves humanity effectively and safely.
Source: Noah Wire Services