Ilya Sutskever, co-founder of OpenAI and a prominent AI researcher, has officially taken on the role of CEO at Safe Superintelligence (SSI), the startup he founded in 2024. He announced the leadership change on July 3 via a post on the social media platform X.
This transition follows the departure of Daniel Gross, SSI’s co-founder and former CEO, who stepped down from his role on June 29. Meanwhile, co-founder Daniel Levy has been appointed as the company’s new president.
Sutskever addressed recent reports that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg had shown interest in acquiring SSI entirely and recruiting both Gross and his longtime business partner, former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman. Sutskever responded to those rumors by stating:
“You might have heard rumors of companies wanting to acquire us. We’re flattered by the interest, but we remain committed to a single mission — building safe superintelligence. We have the team, the compute, and the vision. We’re staying focused.”
Founded in 2024, Safe Superintelligence is uniquely dedicated to developing safe artificial general intelligence. Unlike other startups, it has no alternative products or commercial ambitions. Its singular focus and commitment to scientific goals make it stand out in the tech landscape.
Sutskever, formerly OpenAI’s chief scientist, now leads both the technical and strategic directions of SSI. His new role also entails attracting investment and top-tier talent, marking a new chapter in his professional journey.
Daniel Gross is expected to begin working with Meta, where Mark Zuckerberg is assembling a new AI lab by recruiting top researchers from OpenAI and Google DeepMind. Meta’s strategy centers on integrating AI into consumer products that reach billions of users.
In contrast, SSI’s sole focus remains on building safe superintelligence — avoiding commercial distractions and adhering strictly to ethical principles and long-term safety concerns.
Sutskever’s appointment as CEO is a strategic development in the AI field. This leadership change could further strengthen SSI’s position in the race to shape the future of artificial intelligence. Under Sutskever’s guidance, the company is expected to remain a key player in the global AI landscape.
