Sharp Tech with Ben Thompson OpenAI and Microsoft, Human Nature and the Not-So-Effective Altruists, Imperfect Information and the Cult of Sam Altman
12 snips
Nov 21, 2023 
The podcast discusses the extraordinary weekend in the tech industry, blindspots in OpenAI and Microsoft, the non-profit model and recruiting prowess of OpenAI, and the support for Sam Altman. They also explore the dynamics of decision making, the tension between nonprofit and profit-driven motivations in AI development, employee value in the tech industry, and sleep quality in San Francisco.
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Smart People Syndrome
- Groups of smart people often believe they can control complex systems, ignoring human nature.
- History shows this top-down approach often leads to disaster, like with communism.
Board's Lack of Power
- The OpenAI board's actions, regardless of intent, highlight a critical flaw in their model.
- Their lack of real-world power, despite their charter, ultimately undermined their authority.
OpenAI Board Composition
- OpenAI’s board composition was unusual, with empty seats and members lacking operational experience.
- One member, the CEO of Quora, had a potential conflict of interest as an OpenAI customer.