The Digital Press

OpenAI aims to develop an AI capable of performing autonomous research tasks at an intern level by 2026 and at a fully independent researcher level by 2028, signaling rapid progress in AI capabilities. This effort is supported by their recent transition to a public benefit corporation, enabling greater funding and resource scaling.

Why it matters: Achieving autonomous AI researchers could accelerate scientific discoveries and technology innovation beyond human limits.

The big picture: OpenAI plans massive compute scaling and algorithm improvements to extend AI problem-solving horizons from hours to potentially days.

The stakes: OpenAI commits $1.4 trillion over years and 30 gigawatts of infrastructure to support these ambitious AI development goals.

Commenters say: Many question the clear distinction between intern-level and "legitimate" researcher AI, expressing skepticism about the timeline and claims.