Leadership Shakeup at Safe Superintelligence Amid AI Talent War


July 6, 2025

Tech News

Ilya Sutskever, co-founder of OpenAI, has stepped into the CEO role at Safe Superintelligence following the departure of Daniel Gross. This change took effect post Gross’s exit on June 29, amidst significant speculation about his next moves, including a potential role at Meta.

In an interesting twist, Gross is set to join Meta Platforms to lead its AI products division. This recruitment move is part of a broader industry talent war, as tech companies aggressively pursue top-tier individuals to boost their AI capabilities and competitive edge in the market.

Following his departure, Sutskever emphasized that despite acquisition rumors, Safe Superintelligence is focused on its ambitious goal of developing groundbreaking AI systems. The startup is known for its commitment solely to safe superintelligence, boasting a valuation of $32 billion and substantial backing from investors.

To further bolster its AI initiatives, Meta has consolidated its resources into a new entity, Meta Superintelligence Labs, reflecting its commitment to innovation. This division will be led by notable figures including former Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang, as the company aims to harness AI technologies across its platforms.

Meanwhile, as the AI landscape evolves, European companies have urged the EU to reevaluate its regulatory framework governing AI. A coalition of 46 executives from major firms expressed concerns that accelerated regulatory measures could jeopardize Europe’s competitiveness in the global AI arena and hinder industry advancements.

This regulatory debate centers on the EU’s complex AI laws, which took effect last year. Industry leaders are calling for a two-year pause on certain obligations, arguing that it may impede the potential of all sectors to leverage AI effectively within a rapidly changing market. However, the EU Commission has rejected this request, confirming that no delay will occur and enforcement will proceed as planned.

Tech Explained

Artificial Intelligence (AI) – AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. These processes include learning, reasoning, and self-correction, enabling systems to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.

Superintelligence – This term describes an intelligence that surpasses the best human brain in practically every field, including scientific creativity, general wisdom, and social skills. The quest for safe superintelligence focuses on building AI that can perform better than humans without posing risks.

Regulation – Regulation involves the laws and rules imposed by government authorities to control and guide specific industries or sectors. In the context of AI, regulations are intended to ensure safety, ethical use, and accountability of AI technologies while balancing innovation and competitiveness.

Valuation – This term relates to the estimation of an entity’s worth, commonly used for startups to gauge their market position and investment potential. Safe Superintelligence’s valuation at $32 billion indicates strong investor confidence and market demand for its AI innovations.

Acquisition – An acquisition is the process where one company purchases most or all assets of another company, typically to achieve strategic growth or to consolidate market presence. The AI talent war highlights how major corporations actively seek acquisitions to enhance their technology portfolios and capabilities.

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