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A New Chapter in the Race Toward Superintelligence
In a dramatic reshuffle within the elite AI landscape, Daniel Gross—one of the co-founders of the highly secretive startup Safe Superintelligence (SSI)—has exited the \$32 billion company just a year after helping launch it. While the departure might raise eyebrows across Silicon Valley, Gross’s next move suggests a strategic pivot rather than a retreat. His trajectory now aligns with Meta’s bold vision for artificial general intelligence (AGI), as he joins forces with Mark Zuckerberg in a high-stakes AI crusade.
This shift signals not just a career move but a symbolic convergence of two major forces in the AI world—SSI’s cautious, mission-first approach to superintelligence and Meta’s all-in, capital-heavy play to dominate the space. Gross’s move also strengthens Meta’s hold over early-stage AI innovation, as it acquires a stake in Gross’s and Nat Friedman’s venture fund, NFDG.
the Original
Daniel Gross, co-founder of Safe Superintelligence (SSI), has officially stepped down from the AI startup. SSI, co-founded with Ilya Sutskever—former OpenAI co-founder—is among the most secretive and ambitious ventures in artificial intelligence. In a message shared with employees and investors, Sutskever confirmed Gross’s exit, while emphasizing the company’s ongoing independence and vision for safe superintelligent AI.
In a farewell message, Gross expressed optimism, stating he “expects miracles” from SSI’s future. Sutskever echoed gratitude toward Gross’s contributions and reiterated that the startup is not seeking acquisition, reinforcing its mission to remain autonomous.
Gross’s next step involves joining Meta, a move that highlights the social media giant’s increasing emphasis on AGI. Gross and longtime collaborator Nat Friedman—together leading early-stage VC fund NFDG—have been recruited by Meta. As part of the deal, Meta has also taken a stake in NFDG.
The recruitment coincides with Meta’s broader realignment toward AI. Alexandr Wang, CEO of Scale AI (partially acquired by Meta for \$14.3 billion), has now been named the company’s Chief AI Officer. Gross and Friedman are expected to work directly with Wang as Meta pushes deeper into the superintelligence race.
Mark Zuckerberg has signaled AI as an existential priority, calling it the dawn of “a new era for humanity.” The company continues to poach top-tier talent from OpenAI, DeepMind, and Anthropic, reinforcing its commitment.
At SSI, Sutskever has now assumed the CEO role, with Daniel Levy promoted to president. In his statement, Sutskever reassured stakeholders of the company’s strength: “We have the compute, we have the team, and we know what to do.”
What Undercode Say:
This development is not just about a high-profile departure—it’s about tectonic shifts in the global AI power structure. Daniel Gross’s transition from SSI to Meta speaks volumes about the direction in which the industry is heading. Meta is aggressively assembling an AI brain trust, and acquiring Gross’s strategic foresight is a masterstroke.
From a branding perspective, Meta is pivoting from being seen as a social media conglomerate to becoming an AI powerhouse. The company’s recent internal AI overhaul and strategic hires suggest that Zuckerberg is not merely dabbling in AI—he’s staking Meta’s entire future on it. Gross, with his dual strength in research and venture funding, offers Meta a unique edge. His partnership with Nat Friedman via NFDG brings a portfolio of early-stage AI innovators under Meta’s sphere of influence, allowing the company to shape the AI pipeline from incubation to productization.
Meanwhile, SSI retains its mystique and purity of mission. Under Sutskever’s leadership, the company seems committed to building “safe superintelligence” on its own terms—without the commercial pressures facing giants like Meta. The messaging from SSI continues to reject acquisition rumors, reinforcing its desire for independence. In a climate where consolidation is rampant, this principled stance might prove to be a competitive advantage for attracting like-minded talent and researchers.
The real battle here lies in ideology: SSI’s emphasis on safety and integrity versus Meta’s urgency and scale. The friction between these models could determine not just who builds AGI first, but how it is built—and at what cost to society.
Gross’s quote—“I expect miracles”—might seem whimsical, but in this context, it reflects the overwhelming ambition shared by both camps. Whether those miracles are ethical breakthroughs or technological domination remains to be seen.
Finally, with Alexandr Wang’s elevation as Meta’s AI chief and close collaboration expected between him, Gross, and Friedman, we are witnessing a generational power alignment in AI. Meta is building not just systems, but an empire. SSI, on the other hand, is trying to build a conscience.
🔍 Fact Checker Results
✅ SSI has confirmed Gross’s departure and reassured stakeholders of continued independence.
✅ Meta has officially acquired a stake in NFDG and hired both Gross and Friedman.
❌ No credible evidence supports acquisition rumors surrounding SSI at this time.
📊 Prediction
Meta’s AI strategy will likely become the industry’s most aggressive and well-funded pursuit of AGI by 2026, surpassing even OpenAI in talent density and infrastructure. Meanwhile, SSI, maintaining its independence, may emerge as the ethical alternative in the race toward superintelligence, potentially influencing regulatory frameworks and public trust. Expect a future where these two approaches—corporate dominance and principled autonomy—collide in both code and philosophy.
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Reported By: calcalistechcom_454719dd5591640426b36564
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