OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says the company now knows how to build artificial general intelligence (AGI) and is shifting its sights toward developing “superintelligent” AI systems. In a recent blog post, Altman outlined OpenAI’s vision for the future, predicting that AI agents will begin to “materially change the output of companies” within the next year.
The post reveals a strategic pivot in how OpenAI discusses AGI. While the company initially defined AGI as AI systems “generally smarter than humans,” Altman’s current focus is on superintelligence — a concept closely resembling AGI but with an emphasis on accelerating scientific discoveries and boosting economic prosperity. However, OpenAI’s history shows its AGI ambitions are entwined with its financial relationship with Microsoft, which holds exclusive rights to OpenAI’s products until the company declares it has achieved AGI. Reports suggest Microsoft ties AGI to significant revenue milestones, potentially complicating OpenAI’s narrative.
Altman acknowledged recent governance challenges at OpenAI, including his controversial firing and reinstatement as CEO in late 2023. He described the leadership crisis as a “failure of governance” and said he has since become a more thoughtful leader. OpenAI’s transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity this year signals a deeper alignment with commercial goals, despite the company reportedly losing money on premium services like ChatGPT Pro.
Altman’s vision of a “glorious future” with superintelligent tools has drawn both interest and skepticism. Some argue that OpenAI is downplaying its AGI claims to manage expectations, while others point out that it’s a necessary adjustment to meet practical milestones. Either way, Altman remains committed to positioning OpenAI as a leader in AI development.
