Founder of OpenAI Sam Altman rang in the new year with a short missive asking questions and concerns about the future of artificial intelligence (AI).
In his first X-post of 2025, Altman posted a cryptic verse on Saturday about the proximity of “the singularity,” which refers to the point at which technology becomes so advanced that it escapes humanity’s control, potentially wreaking havoc on human civilization.
“I’ve always wanted to write a six-word story,” Altman’s message read, “here it is: near the singularity; we don’t know which way.”
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Minutes later, the tech entrepreneur revealed that the meaning of the verse was ambiguous, even for him. Altman said the message could also be about the simulation hypothesis.
“(this is supposed to be either 1. the simulation hypothesis or 2. the impossibility of knowing when the critical moment of takeoff actually occurs, but I like that it works for many others too manners.),” the message reads. . “Take-off” probably refers to the point where the technological singularity begins.
The simulation hypothesis, which is the theory that humans exist in a computer simulation, is generally considered less realistic than the idea of a technological singularity. This is more of a philosophical discussion than a scientific or political one.
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OpenAI was founded by Altman and other tech entrepreneurs in 2015, including Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla. Musk left the company in 2018, dissatisfied with the company’s leadership and achievements.
In 2024, Musk accused OpenAI of developing artificial general intelligence (AGI), or the ability of a machine to perform any task that a computer can perform. SpaceX founder claimed OpenAI GPT-4 language model had reached the AGI.
OpenAI has denied that GPT-4 is capable of AGI, but Altman recently hinted that it could take off in 2025.
“What are you excited about in 2025?” Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan asked Altman in a YouTube interview on November 8. “What’s going to happen?”
“AGI,” Altman replied. “I’m excited for this.”
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FOX Business reached out to OpenAI for additional comment but did not immediately receive a response.