Safe Superintelligence Inc. (SSI Inc.), co-founded by Ilya Sutskever, Daniel Gross, and Daniel Levy, has today announced the successful close of a $1 billion seed funding round. Investors include NFDG, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Sequoia Capital, DST Global, and SV Angel. This significant investment positions SSI Inc. as a key player in the AI space, with the goal of developing safe, superintelligent AI systems that surpass human capabilities.
SSI Inc., founded in June 2024, is on a mission to create superintelligent AI that remains aligned with human values. This they argue, is unlike other AI companies chasing rapid commercialization, SSI is dedicated to the long-term safety of AI systems. With Ilya Sutskever, an OpenAI co-founder, at the helm, one of AI’s most influential figures, the company is driven by a commitment to advance AI capabilities while ensuring safety remains a top priority.
The company’s model is built around research and development, prioritizing safety over product cycles or commercial pressures. As Daniel Gross explained to Reuters, SSI plans to focus on R&D for several years before bringing products to market, maintaining a laser focus on its goal of safe superintelligence.
SSI Inc. $1 Billion Seed Round:
The $1 billion raised in this funding round underscores strong investor confidence. NFDG, co-led by Nat Friedman and SSI Inc.’s CEO Daniel Gross, spearheaded the investment, alongside Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, DST Global, and SV Angel. While SSI declined to share its valuation, sources close to the matter revealed to Reuters that the company is valued at approximately $5 billion.
This backing from top-tier investors signals a strong belief in SSI Inc.’s potential to lead the next phase of AI development, particularly in safety-focused research.
Currently, SSI Inc. has 10 employees, with plans to expand. The company operates out of Palo Alto, California, and Tel Aviv, Israel – two hubs of technological innovation. SSI Inc.’s hiring approach is deliberate, with Gross emphasizing that they prioritize character and exceptional talent over traditional credentials. As Gross noted, they are building a trusted, highly capable team dedicated to solving one of the most critical challenges of our time: safe AI development.
Pioneering AI Safety
AI safety has become a major concern as advanced AI systems raise fears of rogue behavior or unintended consequences. Sutskever has long been a proponent of the “scaling hypothesis,” which posits that AI models improve with increased computing power. While he helped drive this approach at OpenAI, SSI is set to explore new ways to scale AI safely, though details remain undisclosed.
Sutskever’s departure from OpenAI earlier this year followed a period of internal conflict at the company, where disagreements over leadership and safety priorities led to his exit. With SSI Inc., Sutskever has a new opportunity to pursue his vision for AI, which is deeply rooted in maintaining human alignment as AI systems grow more advanced.
Infrastructure and Partnerships
With a focus on research and development, SSI Inc. plans to use its funding to acquire computing power and recruit top talent. The company is also exploring partnerships with cloud providers and chip companies but has yet to finalize any agreements. Typically, AI companies rely on partnerships with firms like Microsoft and Nvidia to address infrastructure needs, and SSI is expected to follow suit.
Despite being structured as a for-profit company, SSI Inc.’s business model insulates it from short-term commercial pressures, allowing it to focus on building safe superintelligence without distractions.
A New Direction for AI Development
Sutskever’s decision to leave OpenAI and start SSI Inc. was driven by his desire to take a different approach to AI development. As he told Reuters, “I identified a mountain that’s a bit different from what I was working on.” SSI is built to climb that new mountain, pushing the boundaries of AI while keeping safety at its core.
With $1 billion in funding and the world’s top AI talent on board, SSI Inc. is poised to make a profound impact on the future of AI development. As the company focuses on building safe superintelligence, the AI community will be watching closely to see how this new venture shapes the trajectory of artificial intelligence.
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