Geoffrey Hinton, widely recognised as the “godfather of AI,” recently received a Nobel Prize for his contributions to artificial intelligence, particularly in developing artificial neural networks. During his acceptance speech, Hinton expressed pride in one of his former students, who played a significant role in a controversial moment at OpenAI.
In his speech, Hinton highlighted the accomplishments of his students, stating, “I was particularly fortunate to have many very clever students – much cleverer than me – who actually made things work.” “They’ve gone on to do great things. I’m particularly proud of the fact that one of my students fired Sam Altman,” he added.
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His comments were seen as a reference to Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI’s former Chief Scientist, who was involved in the board’s decision to remove Sam Altman as CEO in November 2023, reports TechCrunch.
Sutskever personally informed Altman of his dismissal via video call. However, he later expressed regret over the decision, suggesting that it may not have been the right choice. Hinton’s remarks imply that he views the firing of Altman as a positive step for AI safety, a cause he has long championed. Hinton has been vocal about his concerns regarding the potential dangers of unchecked AI development, advocating for a more cautious approach to its deployment.
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However, Altman now holds even more power at OpenAI than before. Reports indicate he may soon acquire equity in the company.
Hinton’s comments have raised concerns about the ongoing dynamics within OpenAI and the broader implications for the AI industry. As a prominent figure in AI research, Hinton’s perspectives carry weight, and his expression of pride in Sutskever’s actions suggests a complex relationship between innovation, leadership, and safety in the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence.