OpenAI was established as a response to DeepMind, an AI company acquired by Google in 2014.
Recently, Mustafa Suleyman, one of DeepMind’s founders, has been delving into OpenAI’s confidential algorithms, particularly those behind models like GPT-4, as per sources familiar with the situation.
He is now leading AI efforts at Microsoft, which holds intellectual property rights to OpenAI’s software due to its significant investment in the company.
This situation has highlighted an interesting dynamic: Microsoft and OpenAI are interconnected but also competitors. Some individuals at Sam Altman’s firm have expressed discomfort with this arrangement since Suleyman joined Microsoft, according to sources.
The relationship between Microsoft and OpenAI engineers is intentional. Microsoft played a key role in developing the computing power required to train large AI models like ChatGPT, necessitating Microsoft engineers to understand OpenAI’s algorithms intimately.
While Microsoft technically has access to launched OpenAI products, its confidential research projects remain off-limits. However, Microsoft often gets early access to OpenAI products to facilitate their market launch on a larger scale.
Currently, both companies benefit from their partnership. However, if they choose to operate independently in the future, Suleyman’s presence at Microsoft gives them an advantage in AI model development. As a prominent figure in the technology sector, he could assist in recruiting AI talent to compete with OpenAI.
The Wall Street Journal reported Microsoft’s efforts to establish an in-house competitor to OpenAI. At this time, it cannot be confirmed if Microsoft is working on models comparable to OpenAI’s GPT-4.
Microsoft, OpenAI, and Suleyman have chosen not to comment on this matter.
