OpenAI’s mysterious Q* project: researchers warn of a breakthrough that could threaten humanity
Before the firing of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, several of the company’s in-house researchers sent a letter to the board of directors regarding a breakthrough in artificial intelligence that could threaten humanity.
This was reported by Reuters, citing its own sources.
According to journalists, sources cited this letter as one of the factors that led to Altman’s dismissal. Among them were also concerns about commercializing the company’s achievements before understanding the consequences.
“Reuters has not been able to review a copy of the letter. The employees who wrote the letter did not respond to requests for comment,” the journalists said.
However, after the agency contacted OpenAI employees, the company reportedly acknowledged the existence of a project called Q* in an internal communication. The source said that a message sent by the head of the department, Mira Murati, warned employees about certain media publications.
The publication writes that some employees at OpenAI believe that Q* (pronounced Q-Star) could be a breakthrough – the creation of general artificial intelligence (AGI). These are autonomous systems that outperform humans in most economically valuable tasks.
According to the source, despite the fact that Q* performs math only at the level of elementary school students, the successful completion of such tests gives researchers great optimism about future success.
On November 22, it was reported that the CEO of OpenAI, who was dismissed by the board of directors, was returning to his position. Following a massive employee protest, the company’s board of directors will change and another OpenAI founder, Greg Brockman, will return.
