OpenAI's Project Q*: A Leap in AI or a Threat to Humanity?

Concerns were raised among OpenAI staff about the potential risks to humanity posed by rapid advances in AI.
OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman was dismissed and then reinstated amid disagreements over the direction of the project.
OpenAI's project Q* can accurately solve simple mathematical problems, indicating a reasoning capacity similar to human intelligence.
The OpenAI board was reshuffled, with concerns raised about the lack of diversity and a potential shift towards capitalist interests.

OpenAI, a leading artificial intelligence research lab, has been in the spotlight following the dismissal and subsequent reinstatement of its co-founder, Sam Altman. The upheaval reportedly stemmed from internal disagreements over a project known as Q*, which has been described as a significant step for the AI industry due to its ability to accurately solve simple mathematical problems, indicating a reasoning capacity similar to human intelligence.

The project sparked concerns among some OpenAI staff, who reportedly warned of potential risks to humanity posed by such rapid advances in AI. These concerns were primarily centered around the potential for algorithms to self-replicate or program themselves. However, OpenAI has denied that fears about its technology led to Altman's sacking, or that the board had received a warning letter about the project.

Following his dismissal, Altman and other ex-OpenAI loyalists considered starting their own venture. Meanwhile, the OpenAI board, which has recently been reshuffled, considered asking Altman to return. The new board consists of former Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor, Quora CEO Adam D'Angelo, and economist Larry Summers. However, talks about Altman's potential return, mediated by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, broke down.

The role of the warning letter in Altman's firing remains unclear, with some sources suggesting it was decisive, while others deny it reached the board or influenced the decision. Altman had recently hinted at a significant discovery, which some employees believe referred to a technical breakthrough allowing the development of more powerful AI models.

Prominent figures in the tech industry, including Elon Musk, have expressed concern about the potential dangers of Q*. The board was previously tied to a nonprofit with a majority stake in OpenAI's for-profit side, with a mission to ensure artificial general intelligence benefits all humanity. Concerns have been raised about the lack of diversity on the board and a potential shift towards capitalist interests.

Confidence

90%

Doubts
  • Uncertainty about the exact role of the warning letter in Sam Altman's dismissal.

Sources

92%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

OpenAI, emerging from the ashes, has a lot to prove even with Sam Altman's return

TechCrunch Kyle Wiggers Thursday, 23 November 2023 16:26
  • Unique Points
    • The board was previously tied to a nonprofit with a majority stake in OpenAI's for-profit side, with a mission to ensure artificial general intelligence benefits all humanity.
    • The new board consists of former Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor, Quora CEO Adam D'Angelo, and economist Larry Summers.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (80%)
    • It feels almost as though some eulogizing is called for — like OpenAI died and a new, but not necessarily improved, startup stands in its midst.
      • OpenAI’s new board of directors is getting off to a less diverse start (i.e. it’s entirely white and male), and the company’s founding philanthropic aims are in jeopardy of being co-opted by more capitalist interests.
        • The OpenAI power struggle that captivated the tech world after co-founder Sam Altman was fired has finally reached its end — at least for the time being. But what to make of it?
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        96%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        OpenAI board warned Project Q* could ‘threaten humanity’ prior to Sam Altman’s sacking

        The Daily Telegraph By Matthew Field Thursday, 23 November 2023 00:00
        • Unique Points
          • The project, which was said to have been able to accurately solve simple maths problems, represented a significant step for the AI industry.
          • OpenAI has denied that fears about its technology led to Altman's sacking, or that the board had received a warning letter about the project.
        • Accuracy
          • OpenAI has denied that fears about its technology led to Altman's sacking, or that the board had received a warning letter about the project.
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        94%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        What is Q*, the secret OpenAI project that could “threaten humanity?"

        Voz Emmanuel Alejandro Friday, 24 November 2023 03:40
        • Unique Points
          • Q* is a powerful AI discovery that can solve basic mathematical problems, indicating a reasoning capacity similar to human intelligence.
          • Elon Musk has expressed concern about the potential dangers of Q*.
        • Accuracy
          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (90%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        93%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        OpenAI researchers warned of breakthrough that threatens humanity before Altman’s dismissal

        El Pais English Edition Miguel Jiménez Thursday, 23 November 2023 11:41
        • Unique Points
          • The letter's role in Altman's firing is unclear, with some sources suggesting it was decisive, while others deny it reached the board or influenced the decision.
          • Altman had recently hinted at a significant discovery, which some employees believe referred to a technical breakthrough allowing the development of more powerful AI models.
        • Accuracy
          • The letter's role in Altman's firing is unclear, with some sources suggesting it was decisive, while others deny it reached the board or influenced the decision.
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (90%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        95%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        OpenAI’s wild week. How the Sam Altman story unfolded

        CNN News Network Diksha Madhok Wednesday, 22 November 2023 12:54
        • Unique Points
          • Following his firing, Altman and other ex-OpenAI loyalists considered starting their own venture, while the OpenAI board considered asking Altman to return.
          • Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella mediated discussions for Altman's potential return, but talks broke down.
        • Accuracy
          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (90%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication