Microsoft’s former Vice President of Generative AI research, Sebastian Bubeck, has jumped ship to ChatGPT creators OpenAI.
“Sebastian has decided to leave Microsoft to further his work toward developing AGI,” said a Microsoft spokesperson in response to Bubeck’s departure. OpenAI and Microsoft are strategic partners as AI continues to grow. The spokesperson also stated they are glad to continue working with Bubeck through his work with OpenAI. Reuters first reported his departure.
Microsoft has invested more than $13 billion into OpenAI, so Bubeck should still be working closely with Microsoft, as the companies are heavily involved with each other.
It is unclear what role Bubeck will take on in his new role at OpenAI. Still, someone of his level of expertise in generative AI will contribute valuable work to the artificial intelligence company.
Sebastien Bubeck and changes at OpenAI
Sebastian Bubeck’s joining OpenAI comes with the company’s many executive changes and the general changes at the top levels of AI companies. The artificial intelligence company has switched from a non-profit governed entity to a for-profit company.
The change allows OpenAI to receive investments without caps, but it also means that the company’s structure has to change accordingly. Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati left the company in one of the many changes OpenAI has made in becoming a for-profit company. Bubeck’s joining OpenAI means there has been another change at the top for OpenAI as they venture into the for-profit world.
In response to their turning into a for-profit, OpenAI has been starting investment rounds that have seen $6 billion flow into the company from various investors such as Microsoft, Nvidia, Thrive Capital, Altimeter Capital, SoftBank, and the Abu Dhabi investment firm MGX.
OpenAI’s valuation spiked astronomically following the investments, rising to $157 billion. The company’s valuation will continue to climb as investments pour in, giving AI a solid growth platform.
The added resources will surely give Bubeck and the team more to work with as the company masters generative AI technology.
Sebastian Bubeck was an author of many papers describing Microsoft’s Phi models. Microsoft’s Phi models are the tech giant’s small generative AI models, capable of reasoning tasks and visual analysis. The Phi models are text-based, but the Phi-3-vision can answer questions by viewing pictures and charts. The Phi models have been implemented into many Microsoft products and are cost-effective to run and maintain.
Considering Bubeck’s work on smaller generative AI models like Phi, he could be working on similar projects that OpenAI is not known for working on. Open AI could be venturing into the space with the addition of Bubeck.
