OpenAI Alums Raise $1 Billion for Safe Superintelligence Initiative

Safe Superintelligence (SSI), co-founded by ex-OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, has raised $1 billion to advance AI systems surpassing human capabilities. Investors include Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital. The funds will be employed for computing power and top talent acquisition as SSI aims for AI safety.

Safe Superintelligence (SSI), a company co-founded by former OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, has successfully raised $1 billion in funding, sources revealed. The company, which is valued at around $5 billion, plans to utilize the investment to boost its computing power and hire top-tier talent. Key investors in this round include prominent venture capital firms like Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, and DST Global.

Based in both Palo Alto and Tel Aviv, SSI is committed to developing AI systems that far exceed human capabilities while ensuring safety. The new funds will primarily support research and development for a couple of years before the product hits the market. 'It's crucial to have investors who understand and support our mission,' said SSI CEO Daniel Gross.

Sutskever, who co-founded SSI in June alongside Gross and Daniel Levy, emphasized the importance of a novel approach to scaling AI. Unlike the corporate structure of OpenAI, SSI operates as a standard for-profit entity, prioritizing character and unique capabilities in its hiring process. The company hasn't yet decided which cloud providers or chip companies it will partner with to meet its computing needs.

(With inputs from agencies.)