Safe Superintelligence (SSI), a new venture co-founded by former OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, has raised a staggering $1 billion in funding. The company, established just three months ago, aims to develop advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems with a strong emphasis on safety.
SSI plans to utilize the significant funding to acquire substantial computing power and attract top talent to its team, currently comprised of only 10 employees. The company, operating from Palo Alto, California, and Tel Aviv, Israel, has secured investments from leading venture capital firms including Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, DST Global, and SV Angel.
The investment round also saw participation from NFDG, an investment partnership run by Nat Friedman and SSI CEO Daniel Gross. Gross highlighted the importance of having investors who understand and support SSI’s mission to develop safe superintelligence, stating, “It’s important for us to be surrounded by investors who understand, respect and support our mission.”
The launch of SSI marks a significant development for Sutskever, who resigned from OpenAI in May following significant internal turmoil. His departure coincided with a “mass exodus” from OpenAI’s AI safety team, raising concerns about the company’s leadership under CEO Sam Altman.
Sutskever’s departure from OpenAI, where he was instrumental in developing advanced AI models, underscores the growing concern about the potential risks associated with unchecked AI development. His new venture, SSI, aims to address these concerns head-on by prioritizing safety and responsible AI development.
Sutskever’s reputation in the AI community is well-established, with Elon Musk once describing him as the “linchpin for OpenAI being successful.” The significant funding secured by SSI highlights the confidence investors have in Sutskever’s vision and the importance they place on the safe development of superintelligence.
SSI’s ambitious mission to develop safe and powerful AI systems raises important questions about the future of AI and its impact on society. The company’s success in achieving its goals could significantly influence the trajectory of AI development and its role in shaping the future.
