Technology

Jan Leike Joins Anthropic After OpenAI Departure

Jan Leike Joins Anthropic After OpenAI Departure
Photo by Andrew Neel / Unsplash
28th May, 2024.
A modern office environment focused on AI research. The scene shows a desk with a computer displaying AI-related data and research materials. The background features shelves with books and documents related to AI safety and ethics. The office atmosphere is serious and professional, reflecting the focus on AI safety and ethics research.

Renowned AI researcher Jan Leike has joined competitor Anthropic, citing concerns over "safety" at his former employer OpenAI. Leike resigned from OpenAI earlier this month, sparking rumors about the future of AI development.

Leike's move to Anthropic, a public benefit corporation focused on developing safer and more ethical AI, aligns with his previous work on OpenAI's "Superalignment" team. At Anthropic, Leike will focus on research related to automated alignment, weak-to-strong generalization, and scalable oversight (Source: X).

Leike's departure from OpenAI comes as no surprise, given the organization's recent shift towards commercial interests following a $1 billion Microsoft deal. In his resignation thread, Leike emphasized the need for AI developers to prioritize preparing for the implications of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and ensure its benefits are shared by all humanity.

The move also raises questions about the potential departure of another key OpenAI figure, co-founder Ilya Sutskever, who left earlier this month. His values align with those of Anthropic, making it a plausible destination for him alongside Leike.

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