OpenAI and Microsoft Redefine AGI, Sparking Concerns Over Profit-Driven AI Future
December 26, 2024Concerns have emerged that the profit threshold for AGI may deter Microsoft from further investment in OpenAI, potentially stifling growth and innovation in AI.
While OpenAI was founded with the mission to benefit humanity, there are growing worries that a profit-driven approach to AGI could pose risks if controlled by entities like Microsoft.
OpenAI and Microsoft have established a financial benchmark for artificial general intelligence (AGI), defining it as a system capable of generating $100 billion in profits.
This definition poses a potential risk for Microsoft, as reaching AGI could result in the loss of access to OpenAI's technology, which is vital to their partnership.
OpenAI's interpretation of AGI emphasizes exceeding human performance in economically valuable tasks, contrasting with existing technologies governed by current intellectual property agreements with Microsoft.
As OpenAI prepares to transition to a for-profit structure in 2024, negotiations with Microsoft are underway to redefine their partnership, which has evolved since OpenAI's founding as a nonprofit in 2015.
These discussions include the potential shift in Microsoft's equity stake in OpenAI and the rights to future AI models, as well as the revenue-sharing agreement currently set at 20 percent of OpenAI's revenue.
The exclusivity of Microsoft's Azure as OpenAI's cloud provider is also being reviewed, which could enhance competition in the AI sector.
In a recent interview, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed optimism that AGI could be achieved sooner than expected, albeit with potentially less disruptive impacts than previously thought.
The tech and business communities are closely watching these developments, particularly concerning the implications of financial benchmarks on the future of AGI.
This profit-based definition of AGI may influence other tech companies to adopt similar financial benchmarks, thereby altering the landscape of AI development.
Given OpenAI's uncertain profit generation prospects, achieving the $100 billion profit target appears unlikely in the near future, complicating its revenue-sharing obligations with Microsoft.
Summary based on 7 sources
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Sources
TechCrunch • Dec 26, 2024
Microsoft and OpenAI have a financial definition of AGI: report | TechCrunchBusiness Insider • Dec 27, 2024
OpenAI and Microsoft have put a price tag on what it means to achieve AGI: reportGizmodo • Dec 26, 2024
Leaked Documents Show OpenAI Has a Very Clear Definition of ‘AGI’The Indian Express • Dec 27, 2024
Microsoft, OpenAI have their own secret version of what AGI means: Report