After a decade of service, Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI's chief scientist and co-founder, has announced his departure from the company. Sutskever revealed his decision to leave in pursuit of a "very personally meaningful" project, expressing confidence in OpenAI's continued progress towards developing safe and beneficial artificial general intelligence (AGI) under new leadership.
Jakub Pachocki, who has been with OpenAI since 2017, will succeed Sutskever as the company's chief scientist. Pachocki brings extensive experience in deep learning research and has led teams focusing on various AI applications, including deep learning, reasoning, and AI for the video game Dota 2. He previously served as OpenAI's director of research.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed gratitude for Sutskever's contributions to the company, acknowledging his role in shaping its trajectory. Altman praised Sutskever as a "remarkable genius" and emphasized his dedication to advancing humanity's future. Despite Sutskever's departure, Altman remains committed to the company's mission and expressed confidence in Pachocki's ability to lead OpenAI forward.
Sutskever's departure comes amidst a period of internal upheaval at OpenAI, including Altman's temporary removal over alleged lack of transparency with the board. Sutskever expressed regret over his involvement in the incident, highlighting the challenges faced during his tenure. Nevertheless, his contributions have been instrumental in shaping OpenAI's research initiatives and overall direction.
As Pachocki assumes his new role, OpenAI remains focused on its mission of developing AGI that benefits humanity. Altman expressed confidence in Pachocki's leadership, noting his significant contributions to the company's key projects. With Pachocki at the helm, OpenAI aims to make rapid and safe progress towards its ambitious goals, building upon the foundation laid by Sutskever and his colleagues.
Sutskever's departure marks the end of an era at OpenAI, yet it also signifies a new chapter in the company's journey towards AGI. As Pachocki takes on the role of chief scientist, OpenAI remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing AI research and realizing its vision of a future where AI benefits everyone.
