Sam Altman Plans New AI Venture

According to reports, Sam Altman, the former CEO of OpenAI, has informed investors about his intentions to launch a new artificial intelligence (AI) venture. Altman, who was ousted from his position at OpenAI, recently expressed his affection for the OpenAI team on X. Additionally, Greg Brockman, the former co-founder and president of OpenAI who resigned alongside Altman, is expected to join this new venture. While the specifics of the project remain undisclosed, it is currently in the developmental stage.

Exploring Broader AI Ambitions

Details regarding Altman’s broader aspirations in the AI realm have also surfaced. He has reportedly engaged in discussions with semiconductor executives, including representatives from chip designer Arm. However, the exact nature of these discussions, whether they are on behalf of OpenAI or a separate venture, remains undisclosed. The endeavor is anticipated to be a long-term undertaking, potentially spanning several years.

Collaboration with Jony Ive

In September, reports emerged suggesting that Altman and former chief Apple designer Jony Ive are contemplating the launch of an AI hardware device. If realized, this collaboration would mark a significant development in the AI hardware landscape. Ive, renowned for his design work on the iPhone, is said to be in discussions with Altman regarding this project. SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son has reportedly discussed the idea with both Altman and Ive, indicating potential interest from investors.

While OpenAI has previously explored hardware initiatives, particularly in robotics research, these efforts are still in nascent stages. The robotics research division of OpenAI was dissolved in July 2021 due to technical challenges encountered during its development.