OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Calls AGI Term Losing Relevance Amid AI Advances

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has recently expressed that the term Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is losing its usefulness as rapid AI advancements render the concept harder to define consistently. Altman highlighted the multiple varying definitions of AGI, including one that describes it as AI capable of doing a significant portion of human work, but noted the changing nature of work complicates this definition. Despite OpenAI's long-standing goal to develop safe AGI that benefits humanity, Altman now emphasizes ongoing exponential improvements in AI capabilities rather than focus on AGI as a distinct milestone. He also criticized the hype surrounding AGI for obscuring real progress in specialized AI, while acknowledging the substantial funding and high valuations AI startups have secured based on AGI promises. Additionally, Altman dismissed fears that AI will destroy humanity as unfounded, advocating for balanced regulatory measures to harness AI's potential benefits while managing risks. Experts broadly agree with Altman's views, recognizing that while the terminology around AGI may be debated, the ethical and societal implications of advanced AI remain critical topics for ongoing discussion.