Sam Altman is not afraid to stir the pot a bit within the AI race, and his newest publish took purpose at Google.
OpenAI introduced its new flagship AI mannequin, GPT-4o, which “can purpose throughout audio, imaginative and prescient, and textual content in actual time.” A day later, Google introduced numerous updates to its AI fashions — together with a brand new AI agent referred to as “Undertaking Astra,” and the way forward for Google Search.
However as an alternative of coming after Google’s AI choices, Altman threw some shade at Google’s aesthetic. The CEO posted a side-by-side picture on X, previously Twitter, of OpenAI’s occasion with Google I/O subsequent to it.
“I attempt not to consider rivals an excessive amount of, however I can’t cease enthusiastic about the aesthetic distinction between OpenAI and Google,” he wrote.
On the left, OpenAI researchers are sitting on a sofa in dim lighting attempting out the brand new GPT-4o in a vaguely midcentury fashionable workplace area. On the correct, Google’s huge out of doors stage virtually resembles a film set. The picture reveals a small crowd in entrance of a brightly lit stage with faux home windows and clouds, and Google’s well-known rainbow colours on the wall behind it.
Altman’s level is evident: OpenAI’s occasion seems sleeker and extra intimate, whereas Google seems like a large-scale manufacturing.
The final construction and elegance of each occasions additionally differed. Google’s occasion was practically two hours lengthy and featured music looper Marc Rebillet of TikTok and YouTube fame warming up the gang with the assistance of AI. OpenAI’s was underneath half-hour and held in its workplaces.
Google I/O featured over half a dozen audio system, together with CEO Sundar Pichai, who opened the occasion and spoke once more at its closing. In the meantime, OpenAI solely had a couple of audio system and Sam Altman by no means made an look within the livestream.
Not less than one Google worker was fast to clap again on the OpenAI CEO.
Lower than two hours after Altman’s publish on X, Zachary Nado, whose profile lists him as a analysis engineer at Google Mind, posted a response. The Googler wrote that, for a CEO who claims he would not take into consideration rivals a lot, it is “fascinating how all of your launches are timed with ours then.”
Touché.
After all, it is also value noting that Google tried to have the final giggle half-hour earlier than OpenAI kicked off its occasion, posting a demo video of Google’s personal AI agent and its spectacular picture recognition.
Whereas the Google engineer stated that he was simply “bantering” and has lots of respect for OpenAI researchers, the back-and-forth highlights the rivalry between the 2 firms as they race to create the highest AI merchandise.
OpenAI could not have introduced a search engine at its occasion on Monday, nevertheless it’s reportedly within the works of making its personal internet search product. In the meantime, Google is within the technique of bettering its Gemini AI suite, which has trailed behind OpenAI’s ChatGPT — however has rapidly gained market share.
