- Safe Superintelligence (SSI): Founded by Ilya Sutskever, Daniel Gross, and Daniel Levy, focuses solely on developing safe AI technologies, free from short-term commercial pressures.
- Strategic Location: SSI will operate with offices in Tel Aviv, aiming to advance AI safety and capabilities in tandem.
Just a month after his dramatic exit from OpenAI—following a series of high-profile disagreements over the safety of AI products—Sutskever has unveiled his ambitious new project. The announcement from SSI, signed by all three co-founders, was a clarion call to the AI community: “Building safe superintelligence is the most important technical problem of our time.”
Sutskever, Gross, and Levy are not merely dipping their toes into the AI safety waters; they are diving in headfirst. “We have started the world’s first straight-shot SSI lab, with one goal and one product: a safe superintelligence. It’s called Safe Superintelligence. SSI is our mission, our name, and our entire product roadmap, because it is our sole focus,” they declared.
In a move that highlights their global ambition and innovative spirit, SSI will operate out of two main offices, with one situated in the vibrant tech hub of Tel Aviv. This choice not only taps into the city’s renowned startup ecosystem but also signals the company’s intent to be at the forefront of international AI development.
Sutskever’s departure from OpenAI in May sent shockwaves through the AI community. His exit came on the heels of an unsuccessful attempt to replace CEO Sam Altman, followed closely by the resignation of another key executive, Jan Leike. In a surprising twist, OpenAI then disbanded the very team dedicated to managing AI risks—a team that Sutskever and Leike had painstakingly built.
But with SSI, Sutskever is turning the page and charting a new course. The founders are laser-focused on ensuring that their approach to AI safety and capabilities advances hand in hand. “We approach safety and capabilities in tandem, as technical problems to be solved through revolutionary engineering and scientific breakthroughs,” they explained. “We plan to advance capabilities as fast as possible while making sure our safety always remains ahead. This way, we can scale in peace.”
What sets SSI apart is its uncompromising dedication to its mission. The founders have crafted a business model designed to shield their groundbreaking work from the often myopic pressures of the commercial world. “Our singular focus means no distraction by management overhead or product cycles,” they noted. “Our business model means safety, security, and progress are all insulated from short-term commercial pressures.”
With SSI, Sutskever, Gross, and Levy are not just launching another AI company—they’re embarking on a quest to shape the future of artificial intelligence, ensuring it remains a force for good in the world. And with Tel Aviv as one of their launchpads, they are poised to make waves across the globe.
