 "OpenAI CFO believes Elon Musk will prioritise national interest over everything, sees Trump as the AI President")
OpenAI’s Chief Financial Officer, Sarah Friar, has shared her insights on the intersection of artificial intelligence and politics, dubbing President-elect Donald Trump as potentially the “AI president.” With critical infrastructure for artificial general intelligence (AGI) development being laid during his term, Trump is poised to preside over a transformative era. Friar noted that AGI, systems capable of surpassing human abilities in economically valuable tasks, might take significant strides under his administration.
At the same time, Friar addressed public concerns regarding Elon Musk, one of Trump’s key advisers and an OpenAI competitor. Musk, who co-founded OpenAI but has since diverged from the company, has expressed opposition to its recent structural changes. However, Friar appeared confident that Musk would prioritise national interests while competing fairly in the rapidly advancing AI sector.
Musk’s role in Trump’s team and AI developments
Elon Musk’s involvement in Trump’s transition team adds another layer of intrigue. Alongside Vivek Ramaswamy, Musk has been tasked with streamlining government spending and regulations.
Meanwhile, his AI startup, xAI, has emerged as a competitor to OpenAI, reflecting his continued influence in shaping the AI landscape. Friar downplayed the competitive tension, expressing trust in Musk’s broader commitment to innovation and national priorities.
OpenAI’s new tools and expanding reach
OpenAI has been making waves with the launch of its video generation tool, Sora. Since its release, demand has been so overwhelming that account creation has been temporarily halted. Friar explained that the company is taking a measured approach to Sora’s rollout, ensuring user feedback informs its development. This deliberate pacing reflects OpenAI’s commitment to balancing innovation with safety.
Beyond video generation, Friar hinted at the upcoming release of more AI agent products in the new year. These tools aim to streamline everyday tasks with enhanced reasoning capabilities, promising significant advancements in the AI sector.
Rapid growth amidst challenges
Despite internal controversies, including governance changes and executive departures, OpenAI’s growth shows no signs of slowing. Friar highlighted a resurgence in ChatGPT usage, which has grown from 200 million weekly active users in August to 300 million. She attributed this leap to the introduction of advanced reasoning models, which continue to attract and retain users.
With its partnership with Microsoft and a forward-looking strategy, OpenAI is navigating challenges while maintaining its position as a leader in the AI revolution. Friar’s optimism reflects the company’s focus on sustainable growth and innovation in a rapidly evolving industry.
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