Sam Altman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of OpenAI, has made remarks that suggest the advancement of artificial intelligence technology is nearing or has already reached the 'singularity.' The singularity refers to the point at which human civilization undergoes irreversible change, with the emergence of 'artificial general intelligence' (AGI) considered a turning point.
On Jan. 4 at 1 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time), Altman posted on X (formerly Twitter), "I have always wanted to write a story in six words. Here it is: near the singularity; unclear which side." This is interpreted as implying that AGI may have already emerged.
The singularity is a concept that has been discussed in the fields of science, technology, and philosophy since the 1950s and 1960s, referring to the point at which human civilization transitions to a state that is qualitatively different from the present. Many believe that the emergence of AGI will either be regarded as the singularity itself or serve as a catalyst to accelerate it.
Eight minutes after posting, Altman provided additional clarification suggesting that the expression intended to reference either the 'simulation hypothesis' or the difficulty of accurately assessing a 'leap moment,' but he noted that other interpretations are also possible. The simulation hypothesis raises the philosophical possibility that the reality we experience could be a computer simulation, viewing human existence as akin to characters within a virtual environment.
Altman's recent comments have reignited the debate surrounding the arrival of AGI. Elon Musk claimed last February that OpenAI's GPT-4 already qualifies as AGI and filed a lawsuit against Altman and OpenAI. However, OpenAI refuted this by stating that GPT-4 does not possess the capabilities associated with AGI.
Meanwhile, Altman mentioned in a YouTube interview last November the possibility of AGI arriving in 2025, stating that he is 'very optimistic.' His recent remarks are intensifying the ongoing debate about the current state and future of AI development.