As generative AI becomes more advanced and helps scale greater heights across a wide range of fields, including medicine, computing, entertainment, and more, it's increasingly becoming difficult to tell when/if top AI labs like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google will unlock AGI (artificial general intelligence).
This is especially true after a report suggested that these labs may not be able to develop advanced AI models after hitting a scaling wall due to a lack of high-quality content for training. As you may know, Microsoft's multibillion-dollar partnership with OpenAI is in the crosshairs over the latter's for-profit evolution plans.
OpenAI CEO says he expects AGI to cause scary stuff
Instead, he claims the benchmark will be achieved within the next five years, but it will whoosh by with surprisingly little societal impact. During a recent interview with a16z, Sam Altman indicated that "AGI will come, it will go whooshing by." The executive further indicated that the world won't change as much as expected (via artificial intelligenceee on IG). "It won't actually be the singularity."
According to the executive:
"Even if it is like doing kind of crazy AI research. Like society will learn faster, but one of the kind of retrospective observations is people and societies are just so much adaptable than we think. It will be more contionous than we thought."
The fact that the technology has not produced a really scary giant risk doesn't mean it never will. It's kind of weird having billions of people talking to the same brain. There may be these weird societal scale things that are already happening, which aren't scary in a big way but are just sort of different. I expect some bad stuff to happen because of this technology, which has also happened with previous technologies and funding.
OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman.
However, the executive is optimistic that the company, alongside society, will develop guardrails to prevent the technology from spiraling out of control. This news comes after OpenAI implemented parental controls on ChatGPT amid the increasing number of suicide incidents among the youth.
FAQ
What is AGI?
AGI, or artificial general intelligence, refers to AI systems capable of performing any intellectual task a human can — not just narrow, specialized functions.
Why are Altman’s comments controversial?
Critics argue that adapting “in hindsight” is risky when dealing with technologies that could reshape economies, governments, and human rights. Waiting to respond could lead to irreversible consequences.
Is Altman optimistic or cautious about AGI?
Both. He acknowledges the potential for disruption and fear but remains confident that society will ultimately adjust and benefit — even if the transition is messy.
What does this mean for policymakers and the public?
It suggests a need for proactive regulation, ethical frameworks, and public awareness — even if the full impact of AGI isn’t yet clear. Preparing now could reduce the “scary moments” Altman anticipates.
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