New York: Jan Leike, a prominent figure at OpenAI serving as head of alignment and super alignment lead, announced his resignation on May 17, 2024. His departure marks a significant transition in the landscape of AI research and development within the organization.
In a series of tweets, Leike conveyed the difficulty of his decision to depart while reflecting on the achievements of his team over the past three years. Notable milestones included the launch of the pioneering RLHF (Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback) language model, InstructGPT, and advancements in scalable oversight of large language models (LLMs) and automated interpretability.
Expressing appreciation for his team’s talent and dedication, Leike underscored his departure was driven by profound concerns regarding OpenAI’s strategic direction. He revealed ongoing disagreements with the company’s leadership, particularly concerning the prioritization of core objectives.
Highlighting the urgency of steering and controlling AI systems surpassing human intelligence, Leike emphasized the need to concentrate on the next generations of AI models, encompassing security, monitoring, safety, alignment, and societal impact.
Leike voiced apprehension that these vital areas were not receiving adequate attention and resources, citing challenges in securing computational resources for research endeavors. Moreover, he cautioned against the potential hazards of developing machines surpassing human intelligence, stressing OpenAI’s significant responsibility to humanity.
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Critiquing the company’s emphasis on “shiny products” over safety protocols and culture, Leike advocated for a paradigm shift towards prioritizing safety to establish OpenAI as a safety-first AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) entity.
In a parting message to OpenAI staff, Leike urged a steadfast commitment to the gravity of building AGI and embracing cultural shifts essential for the journey ahead, reminding them of the world’s reliance on their endeavors.
Jan Leike’s resignation underscores the multifaceted challenges inherent in AI development and the imperative of prioritizing safety and ethical considerations as the field advances.
