Microsoft AI CEO, Mustafa Suleyman, recently expressed his admiration for Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, during an interview at the Aspen Ideas Festival. Suleyman rejected the idea that there is a finish line in the development of AI, emphasizing the need to stop framing it as a competitive race. He highlighted Microsoft’s deep partnership with OpenAI, which includes a significant investment and the integration of OpenAI’s technology into Microsoft products. Suleyman acknowledged the fierce competition with OpenAI but emphasized that they are independent and do their own thing. He also mentioned his trust and respect for Altman, emphasizing their close friendship.
This close relationship between Microsoft and OpenAI is important for investors and enterprise customers. Although regulators have deemed Microsoft’s investment as not a true takeover, any change in this status could impact the level of regulatory involvement. Suleyman’s trust in Altman extends to AI safety, an issue that both leaders prioritize. In fact, Suleyman was previously a competitor to OpenAI as the founder of DeepMind, which he sold to Google in 2014. Following allegations of employee bullying, Suleyman left Google in 2022 and joined Greylock Partners. Microsoft then hired him and much of Inflection AI, a company he co-founded with Reid Hoffman.
Suleyman’s new role at Microsoft involves auditing OpenAI’s code, giving him valuable insights into his former rival’s operations. It’s worth noting that OpenAI was founded with a focus on AI safety research to prevent the potential dangers of artificial intelligence. However, some former employees expressed concerns about the lack of attention to safety in AI development. Suleyman responded by expressing his support for regulation and a slower pace of AI development. He believes that friction and dialogue are necessary to ensure responsible and safe advancements in AI technology.
Beyond his thoughts on OpenAI, Suleyman also discussed other important topics. He emphasized the need for cooperation with China in the field of AI, suggesting that viewing it as a new Cold War could become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Suleyman acknowledged China’s growing influence in the global technology ecosystem and advised paying close attention to their advancements. Regarding the use of AI in classrooms, Suleyman dismissed fears of negative consequences, comparing it to the initial concerns about calculators making people dumber. He envisions a future where AI serves as a teacher’s aide, engaging in live conversations with educators and students.
In conclusion, Suleyman’s remarks highlight the strong partnership between Microsoft and OpenAI, with an emphasis on trust and respect for Sam Altman. He supports regulation and a slower pace of AI development to ensure safety. Additionally, Suleyman believes in cooperation with China and envisions AI playing a valuable role in education. While setting realistic expectations for AI governance and protection is important, it is clear that leaders like Suleyman and Altman are actively working towards responsible advancements in AI technology.