That is certainly an interesting theory and it has a ring of truth to it. You simply don’t become that powerful without a fair amount of ruthless pragmatism and I have to think at least a portion of his apparent altruism is a politically motivated smokescreen. In light of this change in values on the part of OpenAI, I wonder is it moral to continue support with my subscription. For now it seems too soon to tell but will it be too late by the time the smokescreen clears?
The more I learn about AI, the more I look forward to your perspective on it in your book. I do wonder how one puts together a book on something that is changing so rapidly.
Thanks for the essay Robert. When I was reading NonZero and the Moral Animal back in the day I would never have thought to be exchanging messages with you about Sam Altman :-) who was still 10 years old I guess ;-)
He's really quite a fascinating character because there is a softness in his external attitude that totally contradicts the power grabber that he surely is (I mean ... $150 Bn valuation does not happen by miracle). And his change of mind about AI (from "super dangerous" to "full speed ahead") is also puzzling, although we could argue that Musk is doing exactly the same thing with his 100.000 GPU cluster - and I find Musk way more unhinged, if only for his support of Trump and his anti-woke obsession.
Yeah, the Chinaphobia card is being played a lot, for sure, by Altman and others. I don't have any special insights into Newsome, but I think much of Silicon Valley--VCs and big tech alike--opposed the bill. .
interesting essay. He's an interesting guy. And, as you say, he might be kinda scary.
That is certainly an interesting theory and it has a ring of truth to it. You simply don’t become that powerful without a fair amount of ruthless pragmatism and I have to think at least a portion of his apparent altruism is a politically motivated smokescreen. In light of this change in values on the part of OpenAI, I wonder is it moral to continue support with my subscription. For now it seems too soon to tell but will it be too late by the time the smokescreen clears?
The more I learn about AI, the more I look forward to your perspective on it in your book. I do wonder how one puts together a book on something that is changing so rapidly.
Thanks for the essay Robert. When I was reading NonZero and the Moral Animal back in the day I would never have thought to be exchanging messages with you about Sam Altman :-) who was still 10 years old I guess ;-)
He's really quite a fascinating character because there is a softness in his external attitude that totally contradicts the power grabber that he surely is (I mean ... $150 Bn valuation does not happen by miracle). And his change of mind about AI (from "super dangerous" to "full speed ahead") is also puzzling, although we could argue that Musk is doing exactly the same thing with his 100.000 GPU cluster - and I find Musk way more unhinged, if only for his support of Trump and his anti-woke obsession.
Conspiracy theory Bob is my favorite Bob!
You done good on this one.
But speaking of islands—is Altman not among the land-grabbing, compound-possessing, hidey-hole class?
You can tell each is itching to play feudal technoLord among the neoserfs.
Mmmm.... Sam Altman: feckless sellout vs. Sam Altman: Sinister Machiavel. In some ways, I'd prefer the sinister Machiavel.
Care to comment on why Newsom vetoed that bill, beyond the obvious intense lobbying to do so?
And it would seem that China hysteria, however valid, is a basis for much of the pitch Altman now makes to those in Washington DC.
Yeah, the Chinaphobia card is being played a lot, for sure, by Altman and others. I don't have any special insights into Newsome, but I think much of Silicon Valley--VCs and big tech alike--opposed the bill. .