“I am starting a new company”: OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever launches rival AI firm

Ilya Sutskever, one of the co-founders of AI giant OpenAI, has announced the launched of a rival artificial intelligence company. The new firm is known as Safe Superintelligence Inc (SSI). The announcement comes just a month after the 37-year-old left OpenAI.

The Israeli-Canadian computer scientist resigned from the Sam Altman-led company in May 2024 after a fall-out with the leadership at OpenAI.

In a post on X social media platform, Sutskever said: “SSI is our mission, our name, and our entire product roadmap, because it is our sole focus”.

“We plan to advance capabilities as fast as possible while making sure our safety always remains ahead. This way, we can scale in peace,” read the post.

We will pursue safe superintelligence in a straight shot, with one focus, one goal, and one product. We will do it through revolutionary breakthroughs produced by a small cracked team. Join us: https://t.co/oYL0EcVED2

— Ilya Sutskever (@ilyasut) June 19, 2024

“Our singular focus means no distraction by management overhead or product cycles, and our business model means safety, security, and progress are all insulated from short-term commercial pressures,” it added.

Sutskever announced that the new company is “assembling a lean, cracked team of the world’s best engineers and researchers dedicated to focusing on SSI and nothing else”.

“If that’s you, we offer an opportunity to do your life’s work and help solve the most important technical challenge of our age,” said the company.