Turbulence is stirring up the artificial intelligence sector. While not always the case, in most instances, business leaders formulating an AI strategy should proceed as usual in light of the recent significant developments.
On November 17, the OpenAI committee dismissed Sam Altman from his CEO role, followed shortly by the departure of Greg Brockman, the company’s president. Microsoft later revealed that “Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, along with their team, will be spearheading a new cutting-edge AI research unit at Microsoft MSFT,” just three days after the upheaval.
The swift sequence of events left the business community astonished, though perhaps the rapid pace shouldn’t have been entirely unexpected. Recent advancements in AI have led to a state of flux in computational activities. The rapid evolution of large language models has directly influenced business practices for end-users. This has facilitated new collaborations between major tech corporations and AI entities. Cloud computing services have become indispensable for AI firms like OpenAI and Anthropic, while companies with cloud-based operations rely on AI for various business segments.
In a swiftly evolving market leveraging innovative technologies to drive sales, rapid transformations are par for the course. Previous generations witnessed similar shifts with industries like railways, gas, and automobiles. While it is unlikely that the sector will witness another upheaval of this magnitude, this recent development during Thanksgiving week may not be the final one, with further changes potentially on the horizon in 2023.
The significance of key figures such as Sam Altman is a topic of debate. Some argue that individuals like him play a crucial role, while others contend that historical circumstances give rise to exceptional individuals rather than the other way around. Many of the most impactful business innovations emerged as new opportunities emerged. While a remarkable leader may seize an opportunity, it is plausible that someone else would have done so eventually.
For business leaders on the brink of finalizing substantial AI-related agreements with OpenAI or Microsoft, it is advisable to conduct thorough research. However, in most other scenarios, businesses can proceed with their AI implementation plans. Emphasizing specific applications that leverage AI to enhance workforce efficiency in particular tasks is currently the recommended approach. While numerous businesses have developed specialized applications utilizing extensive language models to streamline specific business functions, Microsoft has integrated ChatGPT into its recent products.
These specialized applications are likely to offer more value compared to attention-grabbing tools like ChatGPT. Typically, these applications leverage additional data from ChatGPT or other chatbots while tailoring the output precisely to meet end-user requirements.
Businesses need not fret about committing to a specific AI provider at this juncture, as this period is conducive to experimentation and learning. Even with Sam Altman’s departure from OpenAI, a well-designed software utilizing ChatGPT will remain effective. If a Microsoft application is currently underperforming, improvements are expected over time, making it worthwhile to persevere.
The ongoing disruptions underscore a critical flaw in the early strategic approach: avoiding reliance on the same tools for an extended period. Given the rapid pace of change, it is risky to be tied to applications that necessitate complex reversals. Companies that plan for adaptable execution may be better equipped to navigate future upheavals in the AI industry.
