Karen Hao's upcoming book, 'Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI,' set for release on May 20, 2025, provides a deep dive into OpenAI's culture and its aspirations for artificial general intelligence (AGI).

Within the book, Hao portrays OpenAI's belief in AGI as having messianic qualities, illustrated by cofounder Ilya Sutskever's symbolic act of burning an effigy representing a deceitful AGI during team retreats.

Hao raises alarms about the unchecked consolidation of power and wealth within the AI sector, warning that it poses significant threats to democratic norms and societal progress.

Additionally, she emphasizes the adverse effects of AI technologies on vulnerable populations, particularly in the Global South, arguing that advancements often exacerbate existing global inequalities.

In the lead-up to the book's release, Sam Altman, OpenAI's CEO, has attempted to undermine Hao's credibility on social media, claiming that only a select few authors accurately depict OpenAI's narrative, despite Hao's assertion that the organization initially agreed to cooperate with her research but later withdrew.

Hao draws a striking comparison between OpenAI's dominance in the AI landscape and historical corporate empires, likening it to the East India Company, which underscores the growing themes of power and control in the AI discourse.

This narrative is further exemplified by OpenAI's ambitious $500 billion Stargate Project, aimed at establishing AI infrastructure in the United States, highlighting the scale of investment and influence in the sector.

Hao critiques the insularity and secrecy that have come to characterize the AI research community, pointing out a troubling shift from transparency to a culture dominated by obfuscation and public relations.

Interviews with OpenAI employees reveal a complex landscape of emotions, with many expressing both optimism and fear regarding AGI's potential to either usher in a utopian future or pose existential threats to humanity.