OpenAI Chief Proposed Doomsday Bunker Amid AGI Concerns

San Francisco, CA — In a startling revelation, Ilya Sutskever, co-founder and chief scientist of OpenAI, contemplated the need for a doomsday bunker during a summer 2023 meeting with new researchers. As the chief driver behind the creation of ChatGPT, which rapidly became the fastest-growing app in history, Sutskever’s concerns about the implications of artificial general intelligence (AGI) seemed to weigh heavily on him.

Sources close to Sutskever conveyed that he now divides his time between advancing AI capabilities and focusing on AI safety, consumed by thoughts of a potential ‘rapture’ that the emergence of AGI might trigger. During this meeting, a researcher inquired about the bunker, to which Sutskever confirmed the design of a refuge for OpenAI’s core scientists against possible geopolitical turmoil once AGI is released. He stated, ‘Once we all get into the bunker—’ before the humorous interruption about the concept.

Despite the unusual nature of his remarks, a sentiment lingered that some at OpenAI, including Sutskever, believed that building AGI might indeed culminate in a transformative upheaval. Sutskever reportedly emphasized that the bunker would be optional for team members, which hinted at the broader anxieties felt at the company.

By May 2023, OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman had signed an open letter warning that AI might pose an ‘extinction risk’ to humanity. While these concerns shaped regulatory discussions, the aggressive commercialization of products like ChatGPT created a clash within the organization regarding safety and ethical conduct.

As Altman’s leadership thrust OpenAI towards expansive commercial success, Sutskever’s confidence reportedly waned, leading to his eventual alignment with Mira Murati, then Chief Technology Officer, to question Altman’s control over AGI development. Their concerns culminated in a brief boardroom coup that saw Altman ousted from his position.

The dramatic events triggered a chain reaction within the tech community, illustrating the immense pressures and uncertainties surrounding AI development. Following tumultuous discussions and pressure from various stakeholders, Altman would be reinstated shortly after—reflecting the complex dynamic at OpenAI.

The proposed bunker, though never actualized, encapsulates the fears and dilemmas that leaders in AI grapple with today, positioning the narrative around AGI not just as a technological advancement but as a potential catalyst for significant societal change.