OpenAI Saga: UNO Game and What it All Means For AI

0
Nov 23, 2023

Our comprehensive take on the players, the drama, and the potential longer-term implications for OpenAI and the broader sector

Premium Insight 

To download a complimentary copy you will need to access our research portal.

To be considered for a free trial, please register here.

OpenAI Saga: UNO Game and What it Means For AI

Authors:  Yang Wang, Senior Analyst; Wei Sun, AI Senior Analyst

2,000 words

Introduction

The ongoing disruption at OpenAI highlights fundamental issues with how AI is being developed and managed, and indeed technology management more broadly. What has been exposed are the philosophical tensions between the ideas of Superalignment and Effective Accelerationism (e/Acc). Or to put it in blunter terms – ‘Doomers’ versus ‘Boomers’.

Highlights:

The Game: Sam Altman, the board, the firing
First ‘reverse’ card: Altman tries to fire back
Second ‘reverse’ card: Sutskever regrets decision to vote against Altman
Third ‘reverse’ card: Board hires new CEO
Fourth ‘reverse’ card: Altman hired by Microsoft
The Wild Card #1: Anthropic
The Wild Card #2: Adam D’Angelo
‘UNO!’ – The final card is played…or is it?

Analysis:

Mismatch between “non-profit” and “for-profit”
Conflict between Superalignment and E/Acc
The paradox of the Superalignment problem
Doomer vs Boomer
Role of Regulation
“Chaos is a ladder”: Microsoft’s master move
AI companies are nothing without their talent; hiring wars surface
Agent X and the role of the public square

ALSO READ:

HERE Directions 2023 - Counterpoint Research

HERE Directions 2023: UniMap Powering New Era of Location Experiences Enabling Deeper Partner & Customer Relationships

Singles Day Growth Boosts Odds of China Market Smartphone Recovery in Q4 2023

Samsung Smartphones to Dominate 42 Countries in 2023 vs 46 in 2022

Weekly-Newsletter.jpg

Counterpoint Research Weekly Newsletter

Meet Counterpoint at 2023 IEEE-EPS-IESA Workshop on Semiconductor Packaging

MediaTek Summit 2023: AI & ASICs Driving Momentum Going Into 2024

Summary

Published

Nov 23, 2023

Author

Team Counterpoint

Counterpoint research is a young and fast growing research firm covering analysis of the tech industry. Coverage areas are connected devices, digital consumer goods, software & applications and other adjacent topics. We provide syndicated research reports as well as tailored. Our seminars and workshops for companies and institutions are popular and available on demand. Consulting and customized work on the above topics is provided for high precision projects.