Sam Altman is afraid of OpenAI’s GPT-5 creation — “The Manhattan Project feels very fast, like there are no adults in the room”

OpenAI’s GPT-5 is widely expected to be the most advanced AI model ever developed, with its capabilities generating significant excitement since last year. Even OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, has gone as far as stating that it’s highly probable that GPT-5 will outperform GPT-4 in intelligence, using strong language like ‘with a high degree of scientific certainty.’

The executive has publicly expressed that GPT-4 is falling short of expectations, even going as far as to say it’s somewhat disappointing, likely in comparison to more advanced versions such as GPT-5.

Among all models you may encounter in the future, GPT-4 is expected to be significantly less sophisticated compared to others. We advocate for releasing products promptly and repeatedly, and we strongly support incremental releases as part of our development philosophy.

OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman

Although the creators of ChatGPT haven’t openly discussed the progress of GPT-5, there are indications that they might be gearing up for a potential release in August based on some recent news.

During a conversation on the “This Past Weekend with Theo Von” podcast, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed that the latest model appears remarkably swift in its advancement, likening its progression to the speed of the Manhattan Project.

It seems the executive might be slightly anxious about the advanced technology he had been promoting for development and distribution globally.

According to Sam Altman:

At certain points in scientific progress, a collective of researchers may find themselves reflecting on their work, often muttering something like, ‘What have we brought into existence?’

The executive acknowledged that AI is quickly progressing and expanding at a speed that might exceed the safeguards established to avoid the technology becoming unmanageable. Altman then commented, “It seems as though we’re lacking the necessary oversight.

According to Altman, he didn’t explicitly state what exactly made him worried about GPT-5, but it might imply that the company is preparing to launch a product which could potentially endanger human existence. This inference arises because it appears that the AI company lacks proper understanding or control over the model.

It’s worth noting that Sam Altman has suggested in the past that AI may develop intelligence capable of averting existential risk, and the fear surrounding its potential negative impact on society may not materialize when Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is achieved. Instead, this transition could occur with relatively minimal societal disruption.

Could GPT-5 be OpenAI’s stepping stone to AGI?

It seems clear that many technology companies aiming for the AI field share a common objective: achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Yet, defining exactly what this means has become more challenging, as each industry leader appears to have their unique interpretation, leading some to view it as just a trendy term.

At a minimum, Microsoft’s billion-dollar deal with OpenAI labels AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) as an advanced AI system that potentially earns up to $100 billion in profits. By this standard, OpenAI lags significantly behind AGI as it struggles financially, facing bankruptcy reports in recent times.

OpenAI faces a significant need to transition into a profitable business model by the end of this year, as failure to do so may lead to a withdrawal of investor support. This potential loss of funds could make the organization vulnerable to external meddling and potentially unwanted acquisitions.

As a result, Microsoft’s collaboration with the AI company is under scrutiny, as several sources suggest that Microsoft (being OpenAI’s biggest investor with a $13.5 billion investment) might be withholding support to safeguard its own interests.

Or:

Since Microsoft has partnered with an AI firm, there are rumors circulating that Microsoft (as OpenAI’s main financier with a $13.5 billion investment) may be refraining from showing full support to protect its own business interests.

Yet, an independent source indicates that Microsoft may choose to continue its current partnership with OpenAI until 2030, rather than engaging in intense negotiations. Nonetheless, OpenAI confidants assert that Microsoft is merely applying pressure on OpenAI by hinting at the possibility of a more drastic move, described as their “nuclear option.

OpenAI is said to be ready to take legal action against Microsoft for alleged anti-competitive business practices. A separate report suggests that the AI company might announce Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) earlier than expected in order to break ties with Microsoft before 2030. This could be achieved by releasing an AI coding agent that surpasses the abilities of a highly skilled human programmer, effectively limiting Microsoft’s access to their technology and advanced AI models.

It’s not clear yet if this model is related to GPT-5, but it might be since Microsoft is reportedly negotiating to continue their collaboration with OpenAI past 2030, even after they reach the significant milestone of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).

Read More

2025-07-31 13:39