OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever launches rival AI firm Safe Superintelligence

OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever has announced the launch of his new AI startup, Safe Superintelligence (SSI).

Sutskever left OpenAI last month against a backdrop of speculation surrounding his relationship with Sam Altman and their reported differing vision for the company’s future.

SSI will focus solely on developing a safe and powerful AI system, Sutskever revealed, highlighting the the company aims to address safety concerns within the AI industry.

“I am starting a new company. We will pursue safe superintelligence in a straight shot, with one focus, one goal, and one product,” Sutskever said via X (formerly Twitter).

SSI is co-founded by Daniel Gross, who previously led AI efforts at Apple, and Daniel Levy, a former member of the technical staff at OpenAI.

The startup’s mission is to create an AI system that prioritizes safety over commercial pressures.

“Our singular focus means no distraction by management overhead or product cycles, and our business model means safety, security, and progress are all insulated from short-term commercial pressures,” SSI said, in a post on X.