What Is Q*, OpenAI’s Rumored Breakthrough? The Theories—and Why Elon Musk Isn’t Worried.
OpenAI has been at the center of attention in the artificial-intelligence world after the dramatic firing and swift return of CEO Sam Altman. The reason behind his firing is still unknown, but there has been speculation that it was triggered by a significant breakthrough in AI. Reuters reported last week that OpenAI staff researchers wrote a letter to the board warning an internal project named Q*, or Q-Star, could represent a breakthrough in creating AI that could surpass human intelligence in a range of fields. That letter was sent ahead of Altman’s firing. Altman couldn’t be immediately reached for comment. The thought that OpenAI is on the brink of creating genuinely intelligent machines, and all the risks that involves, might be too hasty. Neither OpenAI nor its largest backer Microsoft (ticker: MSFT) have publicly confirmed the existence of Q*, much less the possibility that it is a dangerous breakthrough in AI technology. OpenAI didn’t respond to requests for comment. Thes...