Humanity at Risk: OpenAI Warns of a Dangerous Discovery in AI

Days before the four-day suspension of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, researchers at OpenAI (Artificial Intelligence Research Laboratory) wrote a letter to the board of directors, cautioning about a significant breakthrough in AI that could pose a threat to humanity.

According to Reuters, two sources revealed that this letter and a confidential artificial intelligence algorithm were key factors leading to the dismissal of Altman. Over 700 employees had threatened to resign and join Microsoft in solidarity with their ousted leader.

OpenAI declined to respond to journalists' inquiries, but in an internal message to employees, the existence of a project called Q* (pronounced Q-Star) was acknowledged. This project could be a breakthrough in the company's prolonged quest for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) – an autonomous AI system surpassing humans in performing most economically valuable tasks. With massive computational resources, the new model could solve complex mathematical problems.

Researchers consider mathematics as a frontier in the development of generative AI. Currently, generative AI excels in language writing and translation, with the ability to change its mind, providing varying responses to the same question.

However, acquiring mathematical capabilities, where there is only one correct answer, means the algorithm would have greater potential for human-like reasoning. Experts believe this could be applied, for instance, in new scientific research.

In their letter to the board, researchers highlighted the skill and potential danger of artificial intelligence, without specifying the exact risks. Discussions among scientists have long revolved around the danger posed by highly intelligent machines, questioning whether they might decide to harm humanity.

Researchers also drew attention to the work of a group of "AI scientists," the existence of which has been confirmed by numerous sources. According to one participant from the group formed by merging previous Code Gen and Math Gen teams, they were investigating how to optimize existing AI models to improve their calculations and eventually conduct scientific work.

Altman led efforts to make ChatGPT one of the most progressive software applications in history.

Meanwhile, Reuters notes that they were unable to independently verify the claimed capabilities of Q*.

As reported by The Gaze, OpenAI intends to secure additional funding from Microsoft to develop universal artificial intelligence. Currently, the company is focused on two key aspects: creating "superintelligence" and expanding the computational capabilities necessary for this.