Scott Cory

what are the biggest moats in robotics these days?

Codex can’t make cheesecake yet and that makes me a tiny bit sad. Maybe one day

For a long time, we were planning to non-classified work only. We thought the DoW clearly needed an AI partner, and doing classified work is clearly much more complex. We have said no to previous deals in classified settings that Anthropic took. We started talking with the DoW many months ago about our non-classified work. This week things shifted into high gear on the classified side. We found the DoW to be flexible on what we needed, and we want to support them in their very important mission. The reason for rushing is an attempt to de-escalate the situation. I think the current path things are on is dangerous for Anthropic, healthy competition, and the US. We negotiated to make sure similar terms would be offered to all other AI labs. I know what it's like to feel backed into a corner, and I think it's worth some empathy to the DoW. They are on the a very dedicated group of people with, as I mentioned, an extremely important mission. I cannot imagine doing their work. Our industry tells them "The technology we are building is going to be the high order bit in geopolitical conflict. China is rushing ahead. You are very behind." And then we say "But we won't help you, and we think you are kind of evil." I don't think I'd react great in that situation. I do not believe unelected leaders of private companies should have as much power as our democratically elected government. But I do think we need to help them.

Some thoughts (long tweet.. sorry). I would prefer if we focused first on using AI in science, healthcare, education and even just making money, than the military or law enforcement. I am no pacifist, but too many times national security has been used as an excuse to take people's freedoms (see patriot act). I am very worried about governments using AI to spy on their own people and consolidate power. I also think our current AI systems are nowhere nearly reliable enough to be used in autonomous lethal weapons. I would have preferred to take it slower with classified deployment, but if we are going to do it, it is crucial that we maintain the red lines of no domestic surveillance or autonomous lethal weapons. These are widely held positions, and codified in laws and regulations. They should be stipulated in any agreement, and (more importantly) verified via technical means. I think the terms of this agreement, as I understand them, are in line with these principles, that are also held by other AI companies too. I hope the DoW will offer them the same conditions. Regardless, a healthy AI industry is crucial for U.S. leadership. Whether or not relations have soured, there is zero justification to treat Anthropic - a leading American AI company whose founders are deeply patriotic and care very much about U.S. success - worse than the companies of our adversaries. It appears to me that much of this week's drama has been more about style and emotions than about substance. I hope that people can put this behind them, and come together for the benefit of our country.

I’m joining OpenAI to work on World Simulation and Robotics, after 3.75 years at FAIR working on SAM and Llama. I’m thrilled to explore how visual perception, world model and robotics can come together to build physical intelligence.