Microsoft to invest $1 billion in OpenAI to develop AGI

Microsoft is investing $1 billion in OpenAI, founded by Elon Musk and Sam Altman, to develop AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) to solve more complex problems that AI currently is incapable of.

OpenAI will use Microsoft's Azure cloud services to train and run the group’s AI software. Also, both will jointly develop supercomputing technology and Microsoft will commercialise OpenAI’s creations.

OpenAI began its journey in 2015 as a non-profit research lab. It was intended to match the high-tech R&D of companies like Google and Amazon. As well as it focuses to develop AI in a safe and democratic fashion.

Earlier this year, OpenAI said that they require more money to continue their work and it set up a new for-profit firm to seek outside investment.

The Microsoft partnership with $1 billion investment is a quick solution to OpenAI’s funding needs. And this partnership would focus on AGI aiming to add more new skills in computers and complete varied tasks like humans can. The existing AI can learn specific jobs, but cant handles different problem on its own.

“The creation of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) will be the most important technological development in human history, with the potential to shape the trajectory of humanity,” said Sam Altman, chief executive officer of OpenAI. “It's crucial that AGI is deployed safely and securely and that its economic benefits are widely distributed. We are excited about how deeply Microsoft shares this vision.”

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said the goal is to “democratize AI – while always keeping AI safety front and center – so everyone can benefit.” Microsoft and OpenAI said the work will be governed by both companies’ AI ethics policies.