Reuters reported early on Nov. 23 that the recent ousting of Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, was linked to developing a breakthrough AI model, Q*. This model represents what could be a significant step towards achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), a milestone in the field of AI.

In a talk held a day before his temporary dismissal, Altman likened the significance of an unspecified OpenAI advancement to the impact of the first iPhone release. This comparison, suggesting a watershed moment in AI technology, aligns with the reported capabilities of Q*, potentially indicating the model’s groundbreaking nature.

The gravity of Q*’s capabilities reportedly prompted OpenAI staff researchers to write to the board, highlighting potential ethical and safety concerns and reflecting a growing awareness and caution within the AI community regarding the far-reaching implications of rapidly advancing AI technologies.

Reuters reports that OpenAI’s boardroom drama was influenced by a mix of factors, including concerns over premature commercialization of AI advancements and internal company dynamics.

The specific breakthrough for Q* is reportedly its ability to perform complex mathematical tasks and a significant leap in AI’s reasoning capabilities. Such advances in AI are not just academic achievements but have practical implications, potentially revolutionizing fields like scientific research and data analysis.

According to Reuters, the AI model Q* demonstrates the ability to solve mathematical problems at the level of grade-school mathematics. The fact that it can consistently find correct solutions to these problems has generated optimism among researchers about its future capabilities. As Altman mentioned in his talk, whatever advancement he was referring to, he viewed it as the biggest update OpenAI may ever have,

“I think this is like, definitely the biggest update for people yet. And maybe the biggest one we’ll have because from here on, like, now people accept that powerful AI is, is gonna happen, and there will be incremental updates… there was like the year the first iPhone came out, and then there was like every one since.”

The ethical and safety considerations surrounding AI advancements are obviously paramount, as evidenced by the concerns raised by OpenAI’s researchers. The development of highly intelligent AI systems raises questions about control, safety, and ethical use, necessitating a cautious and responsible approach to AI research and deployment.

While promising, these advancements come with challenges and responsibilities that must be carefully navigated.