Microsoft has announced that they have hired Sam Altman from OpenAI, not long after his firing from the company. With Microsoft and Xbox having eyes toward more AI development, hiring Altman is a move that will only benefit the company and is a huge loss to OpenAI.
Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, announced on Twitter that they hired Altman and Greg Brockman, who also worked with OpenAI as the company’s chairman. Both experts will now be leading Microsoft’s AI advanced research team, although Microsoft was quick to point out that they are still working with Altman’s former company.
“We’re extremely excited to share the news that Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, together with colleagues, will be joining Microsoft to lead a new advanced AI research team,” says Nadella. “We look forward to moving quickly to provide them with the resources needed for their success.”
Altman simply said “the mission continues” on Twitter, with Nadella responding with another lengthy statement about working together. Nadella was quick to mention how companies like GitHub and Mojang are under Microsoft but maintain separate identities, seemingly fanning flames about potential AI fears.
There’s a lot of controversy surrounding AI since the tool has been used to steal art and replace real actors. While the tool definitely has its uses and can benefit humanity in a positive manner, it seems that the negatives might outweigh the positives.
Xbox has also shown plenty of interest in AI, teaming up with Inworld AI to develop AI tools for developers. Microsoft was quick to point out that AI tools will be completely optional for devs, who won’t have to use the tools if they don’t want to. Of course, this could all be corporate jargon and some devs might be “encouraged” to use these tools, but that remains to be seen.
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Expect more news about Microsoft’s AI ventures in the future, especially with Altman and Brockman at the helm. Let’s just hope we continue to get games and media completely made by humans.