Nvidia has invested in Ilya Sutskever's AI startup. Why is it doing this?
In addition to capital, Nvidia will provide Safe Superintelligence with access to its cutting-edge computing resources
Sutskever founded Safe Superintelligence after leaving OpenAI / Photo: Kimberly White/Getty Images for SSI
Nvidia has invested a “substantial” amount in Safe Superintelligence (SSI), a startup founded by Ilya Sutskever, the former chief scientist at OpenAI. In addition to funding, the startup will gain access to Nvidia’s new Vera Rubin platform, according to a joint statement released by the companies on July 27.
The financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
What are Safe Superintelligence and Ilya Sutskever known for?
Sutzkever co-founded Safe Superintelligence in 2024 shortly after leaving OpenAI. The startup’s goal is to create safe artificial intelligence systems. Safe Superintelligence says it has no plans to sell AI products in the near future, according to Bloomberg. In July, Sutskever announced that he would lead the company as CEO—after the previous CEO and fellow co-founder Daniel Gross left to join Meta.
Safe Superintelligence has raised approximately $3 billion from various investors, including venture capital firms Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, and DST Global. Last year, the startup was valued at $32 billion.
At OpenAI, Sutskever led the Superalignment team, which worked to ensure that the AI developed by the company would not harm humanity. According to The Wall Street Journal, in November 2023, it was Sutskever who initiated Sam Altman’s brief removal from the position of CEO of OpenAI. The reason for their conflict, according to WSJ sources, may have been disagreements over AI safety: Sutskever was reportedly concerned that AI would eventually treat humans the same way humans currently treat animals. Before Altman was reinstated, Sutskever issued a public apology, stating that he regretted his involvement in the campaign.
Why is Nvidia doing this?
The deal with SSI reflects Nvidia’s overall strategy: the company actively supports cutting-edge AI startups that also purchase its chips, according to Bloomberg. Such deals are often criticized for being circular, as they create interdependence between the hardware supplier and AI developers, the agency notes. At the same time, according to the WSJ, Nvidia is discussing providing a guarantee of up to $250 billion. These funds are intended to help OpenAI lease computing power as part of a U.S. project to build data centers.
This article was AI-translated and verified by a human editor
