Sam Altman Declares AGI "Not a Super Useful Term" Amid Shifting AI Landscape

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently stated that Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is "not a super useful term," a notable shift from his company's long-standing public goal. This declaration, made during a CNBC "Squawk Box" interview last week, has sparked considerable discussion within the AI community regarding the definition and future trajectory of advanced AI development. The sentiment was highlighted in a recent tweet by Drew Pavlou, who remarked, "Sam Altman now says that AGI is not a 'useful term.' This makes me think GPT5 must have underperformed expectations…"

Altman clarified his position by explaining that the term AGI suffers from multiple, often conflicting, definitions across different companies and individuals. He suggested that focusing on the continuous, exponential growth of model capabilities is more pertinent than adhering to a vaguely defined concept like AGI. OpenAI itself has historically defined AGI as a "highly autonomous system that outperforms humans at most economically valuable work," a milestone Altman previously indicated was "just around the corner."

This change in rhetoric from the OpenAI chief comes amidst speculation about the performance of the company's latest model, GPT-5, and its strategic direction. Some industry observers and online commentators suggest that the shift could indicate a move away from pure research to a more commercial focus, or perhaps reflect internal dynamics, including potential disagreements with partners like Microsoft regarding AGI's definition within their contracts. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has reportedly expressed skepticism about self-proclaimed AGI milestones, labeling them "nonsensical benchmark hacking."

Despite the evolving terminology, the pursuit of increasingly capable AI systems continues at a rapid pace. Experts in computer science largely agree with Altman that the term AGI can be ambiguous, preferring to concentrate on the specialized applications and practical advancements of AI. The ongoing debate underscores the challenges in defining and measuring progress in the rapidly advancing field of artificial intelligence, as companies navigate both technological development and public expectations.