He has a better chance than some other random guy who was not the CEO of OpenAI.
OpenAI already had the best technology fully developed and in production when Microsoft invested in them.
I believe "cargo cult" means something quite different to how you're using it.
It's not "cargo cult" to consider someone's CV when you hire them for a new job. Sam Altman ran a successful AI company before and he most likely can do it again if provided enough support and resources.
Yes, but that doesn't mean it's enough. Not every random guy who wasn't the CEO of OpenAI is about to start an AI company (though some probably are).
It's quite possible an AI company does need a better vision than "hire some engineers and have them make AI".
About him and Greg joining to Microsoft.
> I believe "cargo cult" means something quite different to how you're using it.
I don't think so.
Tribes believed that building wooden air strips or planes would bring the goods they have seen during wartime.
People believe that bringing Altman will bring the same thing (OpenAI as is) exactly where it's left off.
Altman is just tip of the iceberg. Might have some catalyst inside him, but he's not the research itself or the researcher himself.
What I say is, both lost their status quo (OpenAI as the performer, Sam as the leader), and both will have to re-adjust and re-orient.
The magic smoke has been let out. Even if you restore the "configuration" of OpenAI with Sam and all employees before Friday, it's almost impossible to get the same company from these parts.
Again, Sam was part of what made OpenAI what it is, and without it, he won't be able to perform the same. Same is equally valid for OpenAI.
Things are changing, it's better to observe rather than dig for an entity or a person. Life is bigger than both of them, even when combined.
Seems like all these "business guys" think that's all it takes.
Sam will be leading a new division at Microsoft. He will do alright now that he has access to all of the required resources.
> better to observe rather than dig for an entity or a person
Yes agreed. I don't know much about Sam personally and don't care. OpenAI itself has not made any fundamental breakthroughs in AI research. AI is much bigger than these two.