←back to thread

Microsoft and OpenAI's close partnership shows signs of fraying

(www.nytimes.com)
326 points jhunter1016 | 2 comments | 18 Oct 24 11:11 UTC | HN request time: 0.535s | source
Show context
cynicalpeace ◴[18 Oct 24 18:48 UTC] No.41882321[source]▶
I'm betting against OpenAI. Sam Altman has proven himself and his company untrustworthy. In long running games, untrustworthy players lose out.

If you disagree, I would argue you have a very sad view of the world, where truth and cooperation are inferior to lies and manipulation.

replies(17): >>41882351 #>>41882366 #>>41882502 #>>41882707 #>>41882720 #>>41882775 #>>41882946 #>>41883233 #>>41883261 #>>41883435 #>>41883475 #>>41883560 #>>41883612 #>>41883665 #>>41883825 #>>41883868 #>>41884385 #
lend000 ◴[18 Oct 24 20:34 UTC] No.41883233[source]▶
The problem is that they have no moat, and Sam Altman is no visionary. He's clearly been outed as a ruthless opportunist whose primary skill is seizing opportunities, not building out visionary technical roadmaps. The jury is still out on his ability to execute, but things do seem to be falling apart with the exit of his top engineering talent.

Compare this to Elon Musk, who has built multiple companies with sizable moats, and who has clearly contributed to the engineering vision and leadership of his companies. There is no comparison. It's unlikely OpenAI would have had anywhere near its current success if Elon wasn't involved in the early days with funding and organizing the initial roadmap.

replies(2): >>41883583 #>>41905926 #
1. uxcolumbo ◴[21 Oct 24 16:45 UTC] No.41905926[source]▶
I think Tesla and SpaceX are successful despite his involvement. It seems the competent folks at Tesla / SpaceX know how to manage him.

He's a good marketer and created a cult of personality.

If he's so great at building businesses then just look at Twitter where there was no one who managed him.

replies(1): >>41953415 #
2. lend000 ◴[26 Oct 24 08:24 UTC] No.41953415[source]▶
I get that people don't like Elon because he's a bit autistic and espouses political views that are unpopular on this platform, but if you can't acknowledge Elon's business acumen and technical vision, I feel like you aren't a serious person. He co-founded Paypal, SpaceX, and OpenAI (3 of the most influential companies of our time), has been the CEO of Tesla (the world's leading EV company) since before they were shipping product, and has arguably made Twitter exactly what he set out to -- an uncensored social media platform. I haven't had any problems with it, and he's substantially reduced its net operating less at the cost of lower revenue, mostly as a result of politics.

3 of his companies are HARD technology companies and basically the 3 most influential companies in the world today. Founded or co-founded 4 of the most significant organizations in the country. There is no one else in recent history who even comes close to his level of accomplishment. And you're telling me Elon's only notable skill is marketing and getting lucky with his executive hiring. Come on.