one year on
OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever launches Safe Superintelligence Inc.
The new company, called SSI, aims to build safe superintelligence directly without interim products, with offices in Palo Alto and Tel Aviv.
Ilya Sutskever, co-founder and former chief scientist of OpenAI, announced his new AI startup today: Safe Superintelligence Inc., or SSI. The company’s website describes it as ‘the world’s first straight-shot SSI lab, with one goal and one product: a safe superintelligence.’ Sutskever left OpenAI in May after a tumultuous period that included his role in the brief ouster of CEO Sam Altman in November.
SSI is founded with Daniel Gross, who oversaw Apple’s AI and search efforts, and Daniel Levy, also formerly of OpenAI. The company has offices in Palo Alto, California, and Tel Aviv, Israel. The startup’s singular focus is reflected in its business model: ‘no distraction by management overhead or product cycles,’ and insulation from short-term commercial pressures. The approach pairs safety and capabilities as technical problems to be solved together.
The announcement comes after Sutskever’s departure from OpenAI last month and follows the dissolution of OpenAI’s Superalignment team, which he co-led.
The record
Announced the company on X, stating they will pursue safe superintelligence in a straight shot with one focus, one goal, and one product.
One year later — open only if you can handle spoilers
Safe Superintelligence Inc. has remained largely quiet since its announcement, with no product releases as of mid-2026. The company has not disclosed funding or progress, keeping its research entirely private. Sutskever's departure from OpenAI is seen as a pivotal moment in the ongoing tension between safety and commercialization in AI.