In a surprising turn of events, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has directly responded to recent media speculation about the company's next major AI model release, dismissing it as fake news through a post on X (formerly Twitter). This comes in response to reports that had been circulating about OpenAI's alleged plans to release a new AI model called Orion by December.
The Contested Report
The original report, published by The Verge, had claimed that OpenAI was preparing to launch a new frontier model called Orion, which was purportedly:
- Planned for release by December 2024
- Initially restricted to select partner companies rather than being widely available through ChatGPT
- Potentially up to 100 times more powerful than GPT-4
- Set to be hosted on Microsoft Azure as early as November
Current Context
The timing of this controversy is particularly significant as OpenAI has recently:
- Closed a substantial $6.6 billion funding round
- Undergone restructuring as a for-profit entity
- Experienced significant leadership changes, including the departure of CTO Mira Murati and Chief Research Officer Bob McGrew
Community Response
The AI community's reaction to this news has been marked by skepticism, particularly following Altman's direct refutation. This incident highlights the challenges of reporting on highly secretive AI development projects and the importance of verified information in the rapidly evolving AI industry.
Looking Forward
While the specific claims about Orion may have been disputed, the incident reflects the intense interest and speculation surrounding OpenAI's future developments, particularly as the company continues to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence technology.
This story is developing, and we will update as more information becomes available.