Microsoft and OpenAI put the terms of “general artificial intelligence” on paper. The two parties’ definition involves pennies.
What is general artificial intelligence (AGI)? The answer to the question depends on what perspective you look at it from. Microsoft and OpenAI also seem to be struggling to agree on exactly what AGI is, or should be. The discussion has major implications for collaboration between the two companies.
According to the scientific definition, we speak of AGI when AI systems can perform any intellectual task as well as human brain. Microsoft and OpenAI give a rather financial interpretation of the concept. According to terms put on paper, OpenAI has achieved AGI when it can develop a model that makes at least a hundred billion in profit, according to a report by The Information.
Toward profit(s)
OpenAI is a long way from that. Training advanced models literally costs tons of money. OpenAI will make billions of dollars in losses this year and does not expect to be profitable until 2029. Contradictorily, OpenAI may benefit from the fact that AGI is not yet immediately realized.
The description of AGI does have major implications for the relationship between the two parties. OpenAI is committed to keeping AGI technology out of the hands of commercial partners. Microsoft, on the other hand, would be only too happy for Copilot to do everything as well as human collaborators.
AGI is also creating tensions within OpenAI. The non-commercial arm of the organization now oversees development of the technology. CEO Sam Altman would prefer to transfer this to the commercial arm of the company to keep partners in investors a carrot in their pockets so they continue to sponsor the expensive development. There is already plenty of discussion about pennies while AGI is still years away.
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OpenAI wants to commercialize AGI before it even exists
OpenAI will complete its transition to a for-profit organization by 2025. A nonprofit branch would remain, but the interests of shareholders will come first. Thus, the company will also be allowed to bring in more revenue to improve its models. The current structure gets in the way of that. Former founder Elon Musk is still trying to put sticks between the wheels.