Sam Altman Fired from OpenAI: NEW Insider Context on the Board’s Decision
11/22/23 • 114 min
Nathan shares his perspective on Sam Altman’s firing from OpenAI, after being a part of the red team for GPT-4 and seeing how the board handled safety concerns. If you need an ecommerce platform, check out our sponsor Shopify: https://shopify.com/cognitive for a $1/month trial period.
This is a developing story. This podcast was recorded on 11/21 at 12pm PST.
SPONSORS:
Shopify is the global commerce platform that helps you sell at every stage of your business. Shopify powers 10% of ALL eCommerce in the US. And Shopify's the global force behind Allbirds, Rothy's, and Brooklinen, and 1,000,000s of other entrepreneurs across 175 countries. From their all-in-one e-commerce platform, to their in-person POS system – wherever and whatever you're selling, Shopify's got you covered. With free Shopify Magic, sell more with less effort by whipping up captivating content that converts – from blog posts to product descriptions using AI. Sign up for $1/month trial period: https://shopify.com/cognitive
With the onset of AI, it’s time to upgrade to the next generation of the cloud: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. OCI is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. Train ML models on the cloud’s highest performing NVIDIA GPU clusters.
Do more and spend less like Uber, 8x8, and Databricks Mosaic, take a FREE test drive of OCI at https://oracle.com/cognitive
NetSuite has 25 years of providing financial software for all your business needs. More than 36,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you're looking for an ERP platform ✅ head to NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/cognitive and download your own customized KPI checklist.
Omneky is an omnichannel creative generation platform that lets you launch hundreds of thousands of ad iterations that actually work customized across all platforms, with a click of a button. Omneky combines generative AI and real-time advertising data. Mention "Cog Rev" for 10% off.
X/SOCIAL
@labenz (Nathan)
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@CogRev_Podcast
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00) - Preview
(00:03:00) - Getting early access to test GPT-4
(00:08:03) - Concerns over OpenAI's slow start on safety after testing GPT-4
(00:15:38) - Sponsors: Shopify | Omneky
(00:17:34) - GPT-4's lack of safety measures and willingness to provide harmful information
(00:18:20) - GPT-4 suggesting assassination to slow AI progress
(00:23:00) - The failure of GPT-4's "safety edition" to properly constrain unsafe behavior
(00:29:00) - Sponsors: Netsuite | Oracle
(00:29:39) - Discussing concerns over GPT-4 capabilities with AI experts and leaders
(00:33:00) - An OpenAI board member not having tried GPT-4 despite its importance
(00:36:00) - Getting removed from the GPT-4 testing program by OpenAI
(00:44:00) - OpenAI subsequently showing more seriousness on safety after the GPT-4 experience
(00:54:00) - An example safety issue in GPT-4 that still persists
(01:00:00) - Speculation on what may have triggered the OpenAI board's removal of Sam Altman as CEO
(01:06:00) - Altman's "quaint" remark and acknowledgement of GPT-5 training
(01:21:57) - The absence of explanation from the board
(01:23:56) - How Microsoft will emerge
(01:32:36) - Should OpenAI be open source?
(01:42:00) - Innane regulation of AI
This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected].
Producer: Vivian Meng
Executive Producers: Natalie Toren, and Erik Torenberg
Editor: Graham Bessellieu
For inquiries about guests or sponsoring the podcast, please email [email protected]
Nathan shares his perspective on Sam Altman’s firing from OpenAI, after being a part of the red team for GPT-4 and seeing how the board handled safety concerns. If you need an ecommerce platform, check out our sponsor Shopify: https://shopify.com/cognitive for a $1/month trial period.
This is a developing story. This podcast was recorded on 11/21 at 12pm PST.
SPONSORS:
Shopify is the global commerce platform that helps you sell at every stage of your business. Shopify powers 10% of ALL eCommerce in the US. And Shopify's the global force behind Allbirds, Rothy's, and Brooklinen, and 1,000,000s of other entrepreneurs across 175 countries. From their all-in-one e-commerce platform, to their in-person POS system – wherever and whatever you're selling, Shopify's got you covered. With free Shopify Magic, sell more with less effort by whipping up captivating content that converts – from blog posts to product descriptions using AI. Sign up for $1/month trial period: https://shopify.com/cognitive
With the onset of AI, it’s time to upgrade to the next generation of the cloud: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. OCI is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. Train ML models on the cloud’s highest performing NVIDIA GPU clusters.
Do more and spend less like Uber, 8x8, and Databricks Mosaic, take a FREE test drive of OCI at https://oracle.com/cognitive
NetSuite has 25 years of providing financial software for all your business needs. More than 36,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you're looking for an ERP platform ✅ head to NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/cognitive and download your own customized KPI checklist.
Omneky is an omnichannel creative generation platform that lets you launch hundreds of thousands of ad iterations that actually work customized across all platforms, with a click of a button. Omneky combines generative AI and real-time advertising data. Mention "Cog Rev" for 10% off.
X/SOCIAL
@labenz (Nathan)
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@CogRev_Podcast
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00) - Preview
(00:03:00) - Getting early access to test GPT-4
(00:08:03) - Concerns over OpenAI's slow start on safety after testing GPT-4
(00:15:38) - Sponsors: Shopify | Omneky
(00:17:34) - GPT-4's lack of safety measures and willingness to provide harmful information
(00:18:20) - GPT-4 suggesting assassination to slow AI progress
(00:23:00) - The failure of GPT-4's "safety edition" to properly constrain unsafe behavior
(00:29:00) - Sponsors: Netsuite | Oracle
(00:29:39) - Discussing concerns over GPT-4 capabilities with AI experts and leaders
(00:33:00) - An OpenAI board member not having tried GPT-4 despite its importance
(00:36:00) - Getting removed from the GPT-4 testing program by OpenAI
(00:44:00) - OpenAI subsequently showing more seriousness on safety after the GPT-4 experience
(00:54:00) - An example safety issue in GPT-4 that still persists
(01:00:00) - Speculation on what may have triggered the OpenAI board's removal of Sam Altman as CEO
(01:06:00) - Altman's "quaint" remark and acknowledgement of GPT-5 training
(01:21:57) - The absence of explanation from the board
(01:23:56) - How Microsoft will emerge
(01:32:36) - Should OpenAI be open source?
(01:42:00) - Innane regulation of AI
This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected].
Producer: Vivian Meng
Executive Producers: Natalie Toren, and Erik Torenberg
Editor: Graham Bessellieu
For inquiries about guests or sponsoring the podcast, please email [email protected]
Previous Episode
AI Discourse Deranged: Assessing LLM Generalization Takes and Polarizing Regulatory Debate
In this episode, Nathan and Erik discuss research out of Google Deepmind suggesting LLMs, Hemant Teneja’s responsible VC commitments, and why now is not the time for an ideological war on AI regulation. If you need an ecommerce platform, check out our sponsor Shopify: https://shopify.com/cognitive for a $1/month trial period.
RECOMMENDED PODCAST:
Every week investor and writer of the popular newsletter The Diff, Byrne Hobart, and co-host Erik Torenberg discuss today’s major inflection points in technology, business, and markets – and help listeners build a diversified portfolio of trends and ideas for the future.
Subscribe to “The Riff” with Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg: https://link.chtbl.com/theriff
SPONSORS:
Shopify is the global commerce platform that helps you sell at every stage of your business. Shopify powers 10% of ALL eCommerce in the US. And Shopify's the global force behind Allbirds, Rothy's, and Brooklinen, and 1,000,000s of other entrepreneurs across 175 countries.From their all-in-one e-commerce platform, to their in-person POS system – wherever and whatever you're selling, Shopify's got you covered. With free Shopify Magic, sell more with less effort by whipping up captivating content that converts – from blog posts to product descriptions using AI. Sign up for $1/month trial period: https://shopify.com/cognitive
NetSuite has 25 years of providing financial software for all your business needs. More than 36,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you're looking for an ERP platform ✅ head to NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/cognitive and download your own customized KPI checklist.
Omneky is an omnichannel creative generation platform that lets you launch hundreds of thousands of ad iterations that actually work customized across all platforms, with a click of a button. Omneky combines generative AI and real-time advertising data. Mention "Cog Rev" for 10% off.
X/SOCIAL
@labenz (Nathan)
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@CogRev_Podcast
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00:00) - Opening discussion of recent viral tweet claiming LLMs can't generalize
(00:03:27) - Waymo Safety Research
(00:10:12) - Response to Google Deepmind’s research claiming LLMs can’t generalize
(00:15:08) - Sponsors: Shopify | Omneky
(00:21:38) - Reproduction of the DeepMind research showing noise allows generalization
(00:26:02) - Helen of Transforrmers
(00:30:15) - Sponsors: Oracle | Netsuite
(00:32:36) - Continuation of Google Deepmind discussion
(00:42:47) - “The AI Executive Order will only continue to look more foolish from here”
(00:44:09) - The AI Scout mindset
(00:45:22) - Few humans can extrapolate beyond their training data
(00:48:45) - When does GPT-4 deceive its user?
(00:49:58) - Voluntary Responsible AI Commitments from VCs
(00:54:00) - Analysis of the commitments as basic common sense practices
(00:56:30) - No need for an ideological war
(00:57:00) - Discussion of critical reactions framing the commitments as capitulation
(01:00:00) - Concerns about the voluntary commitments enabling harmful regulation
(01:03:00) - Rebuttal that self-regulation can avoid heavy handed regulation
(01:08:00) - Self driving cars: the invisible lives you can save
(01:11:00) - Mysticism when it comes to AI
(01:12:03) - Suggestion that product liability law could address concerns
(01:15:00) - Challenge to defend rejecting product liability for AI systems
This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected].
Next Episode
Vercel CEO Guillermo Rauch on AI-Powered Coding, Software 2.0, and the AI Open Source Question
In this episode, Nathan chats with Guillermo Rauch, CEO of Vercel, to discuss how AI might shape the future of code, software 2.0, and the open source question in AI. If you need an ecommerce platform, check out our sponsor Shopify: https://shopify.com/cognitive for a $1/month trial period.
SPONSORS:
Shopify is the global commerce platform that helps you sell at every stage of your business. Shopify powers 10% of ALL eCommerce in the US. And Shopify's the global force behind Allbirds, Rothy's, and Brooklinen, and 1,000,000s of other entrepreneurs across 175 countries.From their all-in-one e-commerce platform, to their in-person POS system – wherever and whatever you're selling, Shopify's got you covered. With free Shopify Magic, sell more with less effort by whipping up captivating content that converts – from blog posts to product descriptions using AI. Sign up for $1/month trial period: https://shopify.com/cognitive
With the onset of AI, it’s time to upgrade to the next generation of the cloud: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. OCI is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. Train ML models on the cloud’s highest performing NVIDIA GPU clusters.
Do more and spend less like Uber, 8x8, and Databricks Mosaic, take a FREE test drive of OCI at https://oracle.com/cognitive
NetSuite has 25 years of providing financial software for all your business needs. More than 36,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you're looking for an ERP platform ✅ head to NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/cognitive and download your own customized KPI checklist.
Omneky is an omnichannel creative generation platform that lets you launch hundreds of thousands of ad iterations that actually work customized across all platforms, with a click of a button. Omneky combines generative AI and real-time advertising data. Mention "Cog Rev" for 10% off.
X/SOCIAL
@labenz (Nathan)
@rauchg (Guillermo)
@CogRev_Podcast
TIMESTAMPS
(00:00:00) - Introductory comments
(00:03:43) - Rauch's background in open source software like Mootools and Next.js
(00:04:27) - Overview of Vercel and the front-end cloud concept
(00:06:15) - Productivity gains from Vercel's front-end infrastructure
(00:14:50) - Sponsors: Shopify | Omneky
(00:21:00) - Rauch getting inspired by GitHub Copilot code auto-completion
(00:24:00) - Launching Vercel's own AI product vZero: production-ready UI code from natural language prompts
(00:29:17) - Sponsors: Oracle | Netsuite
(00:30:00) - Transition to discussing the future of software development
(00:34:12) - vZero surpassing Rauch's own hand-coded website on accessibility
(00:51:00) - Discussion about focusing on the full stack beyond just the AI model
(00:54:00) - Concept of Software 2.0 using data and AI instead of classical code
(00:56:00) - Maintaining software 1.0 while aggressively expanding into 2.0 paradigm
(00:56:12) - Philosophical support for open source and skepticism about risks
(00:57:12) - How open source software tends to quickly improve over time
(00:57:47) - Prediction that AI may "ossify" existing software 1.0 technologies
(01:01:12) - AI enabling more grassroots innovation like Mark Zuckerberg originally did
(01:07:00) - Concerns about regulatory suppression of open source AI progress
(01:03:00) - Unpredictability of new risks that could emerge like impersonation
(01:11:00) - Rejecting AI doom narratives but staying vigilant on capabilities
(01:12:00) - Concluding thoughts on embracing AI progress with appropriate caution
This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected].
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/the-cognitive-revolution-ai-builders-researchers-and-live-player-analy-251008/sam-altman-fired-from-openai-new-insider-context-on-the-boards-decisio-37477088"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to sam altman fired from openai: new insider context on the board’s decision on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy