Sam Altman (OpenAI)

Power Law with John Coogan

In today's episode, I delve into the life and work of Sam Altman, the co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, currently standing as one of the most influential technologists. I'll take you through his journey, sharing his thoughts on startup culture, exploring the technologies he believes will shape our future, and discussing his position on Artificial Intelligence.

The focus on Altman shouldn't surprise anyone. His influence on the tech world is unparalleled, and his insights provide a rare look into the future of technology and humanity. Drawing on some threads from previous episodes featuring Tim Cook, under whose leadership Altman redefined the landscape of Y Combinator, and Alex Karp, who has seen similar meteoric rises in social standing, this conversation promises to be both informative and thought-provoking.

I aim to answer key questions like, how did Altman end up building OpenAI? How does he perceive startups, considering his rich experience at the heart of several? And what are his long-term views on the future, from nuclear energy to cryptocurrencies? His perspective offers a sort of post-Elon Musk vision of the world.

But perhaps the most critical question I aim to address is related to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). How does Altman plan to navigate the complexities of AGI? And, ultimately, is humanity in good hands under his technological stewardship? Stay tuned for a compelling exploration of these questions and more.