OpenAI CEO Sam Altman claims ‘AGI’ might have already “whooshed by” — with surprisingly little societal impact compared to the hype that surrounds it

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Recently, several reports have indicated that OpenAI seems to be focusing more on developing impressive new AI products, like artificial general intelligence (AGI), than on ensuring safety and fostering a responsible company culture. This has led to concerns that OpenAI may be losing sight of its original goal to benefit humanity.

We still don’t have a solid understanding of what Artificial General Intelligence, or AGI, really is. The term is often used by tech leaders as a trendy phrase, and its meaning changes depending on who’s using it.

Most people now define Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) as AI that’s smarter than humans. Leading AI companies like Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft are all intensely competing to create it.

On a recent Big Technology Podcast, OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, suggested that artificial intelligence may have already reached a major milestone, possibly without us realizing it.

I think we’ve misunderstood Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). We never really established a clear definition for it. Now, the focus has shifted to superintelligence. I suggest we acknowledge that AGI may have already arrived without causing a dramatic immediate impact, or will do so eventually. We’re currently in a vague period where opinions differ on whether or not we’ve actually achieved AGI.

“So, what happens next?” Sam Altman continued. “We could define superintelligence as a system that outperforms any human – even with AI help – in complex roles like President, CEO of a big company, or leading a large scientific lab.”

This announcement comes after statements from the leaders of Microsoft and OpenAI. Microsoft’s Satya Nadella and OpenAI’s Sam Altman both indicated a shift in their approach to developing artificial general intelligence (AGI). Nadella highlighted the importance of AI making a practical difference in the world, while Altman continued to concentrate on the possibility of AI systems that can create copies of themselves.

Altman has discussed reaching Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) before. Earlier in 2024, he estimated AGI would arrive within five years, and surprisingly, he thought its arrival wouldn’t cause major disruption.

Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google’s DeepMind, expressed a similar view, suggesting we’re close to reaching Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). However, he also cautioned that society isn’t prepared for the potential consequences, which he finds deeply concerning.

I was struck by a recent warning from Mustafa Suleyman, the CEO of Microsoft AI. He talked about the potential for AI to become truly conscious and the dangers that could pose to us all. It seems Microsoft is preparing for this possibility, as their new deal with OpenAI gives them the freedom to develop advanced AI – what they call AGI – either on their own or with other companies.

Suleyman has stated that the company is focused on creating AI to help people, prioritizing human benefit over simply achieving superintelligence. He also shared that they are prepared to halt all AI development if it were ever determined to pose a danger to humanity.

Could artificial intelligence already be at or beyond human-level intelligence? Share your thoughts in the comments and vote in the poll to let us know what you think!

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2025-12-24 13:39