OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Admits 'Wrong Side of History' in Open-Source Debate During Reddit AMA

February 1, 2025
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Admits 'Wrong Side of History' in Open-Source Debate During Reddit AMA
  • On January 31, 2025, OpenAI executives, including CEO Sam Altman, participated in a Reddit AMA to discuss the company's AI roadmap and current challenges.

  • During the AMA, Altman acknowledged that OpenAI has been 'on the wrong side of history' regarding open-source technology and emphasized the need for a strategy shift.

  • He expressed personal support for publishing OpenAI's research, indicating that the company's closed approach has hindered its progress.

  • The growing momentum of open-source AI is prompting OpenAI to reevaluate its strategy and adapt to the competitive landscape.

  • Altman praised DeepSeek's model for its low-cost, high-performance capabilities, recognizing it as a significant challenge to OpenAI.

  • Altman acknowledged that OpenAI's models do not reveal their reasoning processes, a notable drawback compared to DeepSeek's models that display their thought process step-by-step.

  • Altman's reflections signal a potential new chapter for OpenAI, where adapting to an open-source world may be crucial for its future success.

  • As part of this new strategy, OpenAI is considering releasing older AI models that are no longer state-of-the-art, although no final decision has been made.

  • DeepSeek has gained attention for its R1 chatbot, marketed as a cost-effective and high-performance open-source project, contrasting with OpenAI's closed systems.

  • OpenAI is facing increased competition from Chinese companies like DeepSeek, which it accuses of intellectual property theft.

  • The conversation during the AMA hinted at the potential of artificial general intelligence (AGI), raising concerns about uncontrollable outcomes.

  • Despite current losses on premium subscriptions, OpenAI plans to make its services more affordable over time, with no immediate price hikes for ChatGPT Plus.

Summary based on 12 sources


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