Microsoft GenAI Research VP Joins OpenAI in AGI Pursuit

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In a significant shift within the tech landscape, one of Microsoft’s leading AI scholars, Sebastien Bubeck, has transitioned to OpenAI. Previously serving as the vice president of Generative AI research, Bubeck is now poised to advance his endeavors in the pursuit of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), as confirmed in a statement reported by Reuters.

Although Bubeck has yet to modify his LinkedIn profile to reflect this new position, which he commenced in September 2024 at Microsoft as “VP AI and Distinguished Scientists”, it has been officially acknowledged by Microsoft that he has exited the research division of the company.

During his tenure at Microsoft, Bubeck was instrumental in co-authoring a noteworthy paper titled “Sparks of Artificial General Intelligence: Early Experiments with GPT-4”. This research delves into the strengths and shortcomings of large language models (LLMs) such as GPT-4, investigating their potential role in realizing AGI.

The researchers behind this study determined that GPT-4 displays initial signs indicative of AGI-like behavior; nevertheless, it remains far from fully autonomous or universally intelligent.

The AI domain is currently experiencing unparalleled excitement, particularly concerning generative AI, which is integrated into a multitude of applications and chatbots that utilize diverse models. These advanced iterations, referred to as frontier models, strive to push the boundaries of innovation.

To develop these pioneering models, organizations like OpenAI and Microsoft are competing for top-tier talent, often offering substantial salaries as incentives. As reported by ReadWrite, many leading researchers are now commanding salaries exceeding $800,000 annually for their contributions.

In a strategic move to enhance its ability to attract such talent, OpenAI has opted to become fully for-profit, thus relinquishing its non-profit oversight. Although the organization began with idealistic goals, practical considerations have necessitated this restructuring.

Source: Reuters

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