Former OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever is stirring excitement in the artificial intelligence sector with his latest venture, Safe Superintelligence (SSI). Although the startup has yet to unveil a tangible product, it has successfully attracted an astounding $2 billion in investments, leading to a valuation of around $30 billion, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
What sets SSI apart from its competitors in the AI landscape is its singular focus on researching and developing advanced artificial intelligence that aims to exceed human cognitive abilities. This distinctive vision has piqued the interest of investors, many of whom are drawn to Sutskever’s formidable reputation in the field.
Sutskever’s career trajectory—from Google to OpenAI, and now to founding SSI alongside Daniel Levy and Daniel Gross—has been a blend of accolades and controversies. His exit from OpenAI in 2023 to establish SSI raised eyebrows, yet prominent investors like Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital have expressed strong support for his new endeavor.
The mission of SSI to achieve “superintelligence” remains largely enigmatic, with scant information available regarding the company’s inner workings. Candidates interviewing for positions at SSI must comply with stringent protocols, including storing their mobile devices in Faraday cages to prevent any electromagnetic interference. Moreover, employees are advised to maintain discretion regarding the startup on social media platforms.
Despite the secrecy surrounding SSI’s initiatives, Sutskever has alluded to the transformative potential of superintelligence in reshaping the AI sector. With a compact team of around 20 employees dedicated to groundbreaking innovations, SSI is positioned to make a significant mark on the future of artificial intelligence.
