The release of this next model comes at a crucial time for OpenAI, which just closed a historic $6.6 billion funding round that requires the company to restructure itself as a for-profit entity. The company is also experiencing significant staff turnover: CTO Mira Murati just announced her departure along with Bob McGrew, the company’s chief research officer, and Barret Zoph, VP of post training.

All the problems with “AI” are suddenly solved now that Altman needs to justify his funding. I’m sure senior executives are jumping ship right on the cusp of their great triumph, because they want to spend more time with their families.

It’s likely going to turn out that Covid has fucked our brains in ways we don’t understand yet. The before and after difference is too extreme to be caused by a collective trauma from 4 years ago. If that was really the problem, we would be over it by now and back to normal.