Summary:
Ilya Sutskever launches new AI startup Safe Superintelligence (SSI).
SSI partners with Google Cloud to utilize TPU chips for AI research.
The partnership emphasizes the growing trend of cloud providers working with unicorn AI startups.
SSI has secured $1 billion in funding from top investors.
Sutskever’s mission focuses on creating safe, superintelligent AI systems.
OpenAI Co-Founder Launches Safe Superintelligence
Ilya Sutskever, the co-founder of OpenAI, has launched a new AI startup called Safe Superintelligence (SSI), leveraging Google Cloud’s TPU chips for its cutting-edge research aimed at creating safe, superintelligent AI. This partnership, announced recently, positions SSI to significantly enhance its research capabilities.
The Power of Google Cloud
According to Google Cloud, SSI is utilizing TPUs to expedite its research and development efforts. This collaboration is critical as cloud providers are vying for partnerships with unicorn AI startups that require extensive computing power, often spending hundreds of millions annually for AI model training. Reports suggest that Google Cloud is SSI’s primary computing provider, indicating a substantial investment in cloud resources.
A Trend in AI Startups
Google Cloud has a track record of forming partnerships with former AI researchers who have transitioned into leading AI startups. Notably, Sutskever, who previously worked at Google, is among these innovators. Recently, Google Cloud also became the primary provider for World Labs, founded by ex-Google Cloud AI chief scientist Fei-Fei Li.
Financial Backing and Future Plans
SSI emerged from stealth mode in June 2024, shortly after Sutskever left his position at OpenAI. The startup has secured $1 billion in funding from prominent investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, and DST Global. Despite its recent launch, details about SSI’s initiatives remain sparse, but its website emphasizes a commitment to developing safe, superintelligent AI systems as its core mission.
Sutskever's Journey
Before co-founding OpenAI, Sutskever dedicated several years to Google Brain, focusing on neural networks. His recent departure from OpenAI followed a tumultuous period that included a notable leadership change. After a brief hiatus, Sutskever is now focused on his new venture, exploring innovative ways to enhance the performance of frontier AI models.
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