Miles Brundage, a senior advisor for AGI readiness at OpenAI, is leaving the company. He warns that neither OpenAI nor any other AI labs are prepared for artificial general intelligence, which is AI that can think and learn like a human. In his Substack post, he emphasizes that significant gaps remain in readiness, which aren’t just OpenAI’s issue but affect all advanced AI organizations. He advocates for a strong collaboration between governments, companies, and civil society to ensure AI benefits everyone. While he sees potential for AI to enhance economic growth, he also worries about job disruptions. Brundage believes society needs to prepare for a future where work isn’t mandatory, a topic that needs urgent discussion.
OpenAI is seeing another notable departure, as Miles Brundage, a senior advisor focused on preparing for artificial general intelligence (AGI), has announced his exit. Brundage, who has been with the company for over six years, made his decision public through a Substack post, expressing his desire to reflect on AGI readiness without the bias of being an employee.
In his post, Brundage highlighted serious concerns about the current state of readiness for AGI. He stated that “neither OpenAI nor any other frontier lab is ready,” and he believes that the global landscape is similarly unprepared for the implications AGI could present. AGI refers to technologies that can match or exceed human intelligence, raising significant questions about safety, regulation, and societal impacts.
Brundage’s role in OpenAI’s AGI readiness team will be dissolved as part of a company reorganization. He stressed that achieving benefits from AI and AGI for all humanity will require thoughtful actions from governments and organizations, as well as public discussions to shape policies effectively.
Pointing to the rapid advancements in AI capabilities, he urged policymakers to act with urgency, noting past experiences, like pandemic preparedness, demonstrate that leaders often only respond when they feel a strong urgency. He also cautioned against viewing AI development as a race between democratic and autocratic nations, as it could lead to dangerous compromises on safety.
Looking to the future, Brundage expressed optimism about AI’s potential to significantly boost economic growth and enable early retirement for some. However, he warned of the immediate risks, particularly the disruption of job opportunities for those seeking work. He believes society isn’t ready for such shifts and that this topic deserves more attention in policy discussions.
Brundage’s departure follows several high-profile exits from OpenAI, including its CTO and co-founder Ilya Sutskever. While he acknowledged the significance of these changes, he emphasized that he had been at the company long enough and was ready for this new chapter in his career.
This ongoing reshuffle within OpenAI raises important questions about the readiness and direction of AGI development at a time when the technology is rapidly evolving. As Brundage leaves, the focus remains on how best to navigate the future of AI safely and equitably.
Tags: OpenAI, Miles Brundage, AGI readiness, artificial intelligence, AI policy, technology news
What happened at OpenAI recently?
OpenAI lost another senior leader, which raises questions about the company’s stability and direction.
Why do senior figures leave OpenAI?
People may leave for various reasons, including new career opportunities, personal choices, or disagreements within the company.
How does this affect OpenAI?
Losing a senior leader can impact decision-making and company strategy, but OpenAI still has a strong team.
Are there concerns about OpenAI’s future?
Yes, some people worry that these departures could affect the company’s ability to innovate and lead in AI.
What should we watch for next with OpenAI?
Keep an eye on any new leadership appointments and how they might influence OpenAI’s projects and goals moving forward.
