OpenAI is making significant strides in artificial intelligence, with plans to introduce a fully automated “legitimate AI researcher” by 2028, as revealed by CEO Sam Altman during a recent livestream. The company aims to achieve an intern-level research assistant by September 2026. This ambitious timeline aligns with OpenAI’s recent transformation into a public benefit corporation, freeing it from the restrictions of its non-profit origins and enabling enhanced capital-raising opportunities.
Joining Altman was Jakub Pachocki, OpenAI’s chief scientist, who clarified that this AI researcher would autonomously manage substantial research projects rather than merely assist human researchers. Pachocki emphasized the proximity of deep learning systems to achieving superintelligence, defined as AI that surpasses human intelligence in numerous critical tasks.
OpenAI’s strategy to reach these milestones hinges on two primary focuses: ongoing innovation in algorithms and a significant increase in “test time compute” — the duration that models can spend analyzing complex issues. Current models possess a five-hour problem-solving time frame but are already competitive with top human experts in challenging arenas, such as the International Mathematical Olympiad. Pachocki suggested that enhancing computational resources could lead to groundbreaking scientific advancements, proposing that entire data centers might be dedicated to tackling single research challenges.
This initiative is part of OpenAI’s broader mission to advance scientific inquiry, enabling AI to discover solutions at speeds beyond human capabilities and to drive rapid technological progress across various disciplines, including medicine, physics, and technology development.
Additionally, the restructuring positions OpenAI to uphold its objectives for AI research assistants while adhering to mindful AI development principles. The non-profit OpenAI Foundation will retain 26% ownership of the profit-oriented arm, guiding its research focus and managing initiatives aimed at research, safety, and the $25 billion commitment to leveraging AI for disease cures.
According to Altman, the for-profit sector’s increased funding abilities will facilitate the necessary infrastructure expansions to attain these scientific goals, with a commitment to 30 gigawatts of infrastructure involving a $1.4 trillion financial outlay over the coming years.
