# OpenAI's Identity Crisis: History, Culture & Non-Profit Control with ex-employee Steven Adler

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-cognitive-revolution/openai-s-identity-crisis-history-culture-non-profit-control-with-ex-employee-steven-adler.md
Podcast: ["The Cognitive Revolution" | AI Builders, Researchers, and Live Player Analysis](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-cognitive-revolution)
Published: 2025-05-08T23:34:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.cognitiverevolution.ai
Audio file: https://pdst.fm/e/mgln.ai/e/1113/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/RINTP9912112265.mp3?updated=1746742887
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Duration seconds: 7213

## Resource

In this episode, former OpenAI research scientist Steven Adler discusses his insights on OpenAI's transition through various phases, including its growth, internal culture shifts, and the contentious move from nonprofit to for-profit. The conversation delves into the initial days of OpenAI's development of GPT-3 and GPT-4, the cultural and ethical disagreements within the organization, and the recent amicus brief addressing the Elon versus OpenAI lawsuit. Steven Adler also explores the broader implications of AI capabilities, safety evaluations, and the critical need for transparent and responsible AI governance. The episode provides a candid look at the internal dynamics of a leading AI company and offers perspectives on the responsibilities and challenges faced by AI researchers and developers today. Amicus brief to the Elon Musk versus OpenAI lawsuit: https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.433688/gov.uscourts.cand.433688.152.0.pdf Steven Adler's post on 'X' about Personhood credentials (a paper co-authored by him) : https://x.com/sjgadler/status/1824245211322568903 Steven Adler's substack post on "minimum testing period" for frontier AI : https://substack.com/@sjadler/p-161143327?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2 Steven Adler's substack post on TSFT Model Testing: https://substack.com/@sjadler/p-159883282?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2 Steven Adler's Substack: https://stevenadler.substack.com/ Upcoming Major AI Events Featuring Nathan Labenz as a Keynote Speaker https://www.imagineai.live/ https://adapta.org/adapta-summit https://itrevolution.com/product/enterprise-tech-leadership-summit-las-vegas/ PRODUCED BY: https://aipodcast.ing CHAPTERS: (00:00) About the Episode (05:15) Joining OpenAI: Early Days and Cultural Insights (06:…

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