Former OpenAI Pioneer Predicts a Future Shaped by Artificial General Intelligence
Mira Murati, a prominent figure in the world of artificial intelligence, has confidently stated that achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI) is not a question of "if," but "when." Murati, who recently departed from her role as OpenAI’s chief technology officer, believes this technological milestone – where AI systems can perform cognitive tasks at a level comparable to humans – may be within reach sooner than many anticipate.
“Right now, it feels quite achievable,” Murati shared during an interview at WIRED’s The Big Interview event in San Francisco, marking her first public appearance since stepping down from OpenAI in September. Despite recent discussions within the AI community regarding the challenges of developing increasingly powerful generative AI models, Murati remains optimistic.
"Current evidence shows that progress will likely continue," she said. "There’s not a lot of evidence to the contrary." She acknowledged the possibility of needing novel ideas to reach AGI but emphasized her unwavering belief in ongoing advancements. "I’m quite optimistic that the progress will continue,” Murati asserted.
This unwavering belief in the future of AI drives Murati’s latest endeavor. Sources suggest she is establishing her own AI startup, aiming to develop proprietary models and secure substantial venture capital funding, potentially exceeding $100 million. While details remain under wraps, Murati confirmed she is "figuring out what it’s going to look like.”
Murati’s journey in the field is remarkable. Her career spans from aerospace engineering, including work with Tesla on the Model S and Model X electric cars, to leading product and engineering at virtual reality startup Leap Motion. At OpenAI, she played a pivotal role in shaping groundbreaking services like ChatGPT and Dall-E, becoming one of its top executives and briefly leading the organization during a period of leadership transition.
While Murati refrained from publicly disclosing the precise reasons behind her departure from OpenAI, she highlighted her desire for "personal exploration." Her exit, along with those of numerous other early OpenAI employees in recent years, has fueled debate about the organization’s direction under CEO Sam Altman.
Murati, however, urges a shift in focus.
“There’s been “too much obsession” over departures and not enough on the substance of AI development," she said.
She points towards emerging areas like synthetic data generation and the growth of computing infrastructure as critical for fueling the progression towards AGI.
Yet,Murati acknowledges the dual nature of this powerful technology. "This technology is not intrinsically good or bad," she stated. "It comes with both sides.”
She emphasizes the crucial role of society in guiding AI towards a positive future.
“It’s up to society… to collectively keep steering the models toward good—so we’re well prepared for the day AGI comes," Murati concluded.
