I interviewed the Creator of ChatGPT

[@DavidPerellChannel]

You know him as the CEO of OpenAI - but he's also an avid writer. We spoke not once but twice about how Sam captures ideas, clarifies his thinking, edits his writing, decides what to work on, and uses ChatGPT. Timestamps: 1:47 Will LLMs change how we write? 8:39 How does Sam use ChatGPT? 11:26 How Sam became less anxious 17:24 Sam once dreamed of being a novelist 18:37 Lessons from Peter Thiel 21:35 Lessons from Paul Graham 26:02 The book Sam Altman wants to write 28:37 Advice for startup founders 30:20 How Y Combinator shapes OpenAI 35:55 How Sam chose to work on AGI 37:35 Writing strategy memos at OpenAI 41:34 Why isn’t ChatGPT a better storyteller? 44:20 Sam's obsessive note-taking method 47:12 Will AI put writers out of work?

[@CherubinVanjinath]

Dude thanks for taking us closer to Sam. much love!

[@scottscheper]

The founder of ChatGPT uses analog tools 👏 ✍🏻

He's secretly reading Anitnet. :)

[@mrmoeezali]

Hey David, I just wanted to leave some feedback on this interview. The interview feels soulless when it is so heavily edited, where you keep asking questions and he responds but then you move on to the next question without saying anything back or even reacting to what Sam is actually saying. It feels like a very one sided interview, I want to listen to what Sam has to say, but I am here to listen what you have to say in response as well and your reaction to his words. There is TOO MUCH editing, it feels like you did this video just to clip shorts out of it instead of talking to the person who is infront of you.

[@Eyesusan]

Compression?

[@DavidPerellChannel]

Thanks for your comment! The original interview had more stops and starts than usual, and we had to make some decisions on how to edit it in order to keep the flow up. That’s why this one is different from the other interviews

[@endgamefond]

​Maybe get a new editor? Not saying it's bad but the editing just has different style I guess..​@@DavidPerellChannel

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Thanks for the insight and feedback on this very good question.​@@DavidPerellChannel

[@ksprdk]

@@DavidPerellChannelwhat happened?

[@riccardocecco]

We were waiting for this one after that post you made a long time ago 😅 cheers man! Already taking notes

[@Rudzani]

Real. I’ve been waiting ever since he posted about the episode lol

[@DavidPerellChannel]

Long time coming

[@rrawat02]

Immediately added it to my “watch later” list so I can watch it on my treadmill run tomorrow morning.

[@theimproooooooover]

Bro same 😂😂

[@VideovigilanteUSA]

Ok boomer

[@dashofdialogue]

The Future Is Bright ✨

[@Soccolich]

Excited for this!

[@sultanalshirah]

Finally and just in time for my car entertainment

[@DavidPerellChannel]

Drive safe

[@benjaminfairbourne]

I dont know why but sam altman reminds me of the "Horton Hears a Who!" movie lol

[@producedbypodcast]

Didn't see this one coming but the more excited I am!

[@DavidPerellChannel]

Enjoy!

[@iLoveWriting365]

This will probably be my favourite video ever! Bravo! And fantastic intro (as usual :-)

[@elliptictree]

Interesting.

[@RanmaSyaoranSaotome]

Sam desperately needs a voice coach to tell him how to breathe

[@SuperMaDBrothers]

This comment is evidence that everyone wants you to become average.

[@RanmaSyaoranSaotome]

@@SuperMaDBrothers No, it's a comment that the man sounds like he has a dying toad in his oesophagus that's passing out it's last remaining fart as a collection of AI-centric vowels.

[@SuperMaDBrothers]

@@RanmaSyaoranSaotomeSam altmans eccentricity is what led him to be a founder in the first place, I don’t think he’s going to hire some low IQ voice coach to tell him what he already knows

[@Sindigo-ic6xq]

Doesnt bother me​@@RanmaSyaoranSaotome

[@ciaragriffin7398]

Kardashian level vocal fry 😭

[@Jonathanzcohen]

This is so hype

[@DavidPerellChannel]

Yep

[@friendlywizard]

he's just like me fr

[@claudioagmfilho]

🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷👏🏻

[@Alice8000]

First!

[@upsidedownChad]

First

[@DavidPerellChannel]

Nice

[@tomerprice]

summary The Future of Writing with AI (01:26-03:01): Sam Altman believes that AI, specifically language models like ChatGPT, will transform how we write and communicate. He emphasizes that AI is not just about expanding bullet points but helping to discover new ideas, making writing more interactive and exploratory. ChatGPT's Impact on Creativity and Programming (08:30-09:28): Altman mentions how ChatGPT has become a general-purpose tool, with significant impact on programming, education, and creative tasks. For many, particularly programmers, ChatGPT has transformed workflows, providing assistance and enhancing productivity. Compression as a Key to AI Intelligence (10:06-10:38): Altman touches on the idea that compression is central to intelligence, particularly in AI. He explains how models like ChatGPT focus on compressing and organizing vast amounts of knowledge, a concept that took him time to fully understand. The Value of Writing for Thinking (14:11-14:37): Altman explains how writing serves as externalized thinking, helping to clarify ideas. He highlights that clear communication often follows from clear thinking, with writing playing a critical role in refining and organizing complex thoughts. AI's Role in Creative Expression (32:49-33:19): Altman believes that AI will help humans do things they couldn’t do before, particularly in creativity. However, he stresses that while AI can help generate ideas, humans will still need to play a crucial role as curators and decision-makers in the creative process.

[@sputnik8543]

This feels like intellectual flirting

[@sirvladislav]

It's kinda funny that I use Samurai AI and get all the insights from this awesome conversation. Exactly the power of AI summarization that Altman was talking about.

[@Eggs-n-Jakey]

It's nice to see Sam in a friendly carefree conversation. Awesome episode man. Need to get you to 100k asap.

[@ksprdk]

Is it a secret why the interview was done in two parts?

[@NaserSd19]

I honestly believe that you deserve 500k subscribers like that. 👏👏👏

[@BrianMosleyUK]

I'm looking forward to having chatgpt become a 'thinking partner' to help me develop my thinking on my subject interest. Being in the UK, I'm slightly irritated that I have to wait a while longer to use Advanced Voice. Edit, happy to hear Sam's thoughts resonate with my own use of this amazing technology.

[@BrianMosleyUK]

I used AI to help me develop my thinking, and to locate quotes which introduce sections of my book, and also to create a bibliography and index for my book. It's not going to write for you, but it's a great writing partner for research and organisation.

[@shane1067]

Such a good interview David! Sam's answers and your questions were very informative and thought through.

[@Kylbigel]

Speaking is an expression of your thoughts; writing is a love letter from your heart.

[@MichealScott24]

🎯 Key points for quick navigation: 00:00 *📚 Introduction to Sam Altman and AI Insights* - Sam Altman discusses his views on the future of writing and AI's role. - The concept of knowledge compression is introduced as fundamental to AI development. - Altman expresses a desire for concise writing, criticizing lengthy business books. 00:30 *💬 The Impact of LLMs on Writing* - Altman reflects on how language models (LLMs) will change communication and writing methods. - The interaction between humans and computers is evolving towards natural language. - He highlights the potential for new writing tools that enhance idea generation. 02:00 *✍️ Writing's Role in Clarity and Thought* - Discusses writing as a tool for refining thoughts and improving communication. - The significance of initial idea generation and how LLMs can assist in this process. - Altman observes varied usage of AI tools in educational settings. 03:30 *🚀 Writing and Anxiety Management* - Altman shares insights on how anxiety affects thinking and communication. - Emphasizes the importance of clear thinking for effective communication. - He proposes that understanding what to work on is more crucial than merely boosting productivity. 06:00 *📝 The Importance of Writing for Thinking* - Altman advocates for writing as an externalization of thought. - He underscores the connection between clear thinking and effective communication. - Discusses the role of writing in organizing ideas and fostering understanding. 08:00 *🎯 Clarity and Communication* - Altman explains that clear communication stems from clear thinking. - Discusses the parallels between military strategy and effective business communication. - Highlights how clarity and speed in communication are essential for execution. 10:00 *🌟 Reflection on Writing Achievements* - Altman reflects on his writing journey and its impact on his thinking. - He admits that writing is not his primary talent but finds value in the process. - Discusses the influence of personal blogs and the desire to help startup founders through writing. 12:00 *💡 The Value of Writing as Practice* - Altman shares how he started writing to improve his skills. - Discusses the impact of writers like Paul Graham on his approach to writing. - Emphasizes that while he may not be a natural writer, practice can lead to improvement. 21:17 *🖊️ Writing as a Clarity Tool* - Writing helps in thinking clearly and getting to the essence of ideas. - Most business books are long-winded and lack concise ideas. - Influential writing, like Paul Graham's essays, inspires clear expression and thought. - 23:32 *📊 The Importance of Clear Communication in Pitches* - Effective pitching relies on clear communication and understanding of ideas. - Writing helps clarify thoughts and weak points before presentations. - Clear thinkers are often better at pitching, though some may struggle with communication. - 26:06 *📚 Exploring AI Through Writing* - Sam Altman considers writing a book to explain AI's implications and historical context. - He aims to provide practical insights on how AI will impact lives today and in the future. - The book would address misconceptions and gaps in public understanding of AI. - 28:25 *✍️ The Role of Writing in Internal Coordination* - Writing is vital for internal alignment among teams at OpenAI. - Clear documentation facilitates communication and decision-making. - Altman emphasizes the need for a document-heavy culture to avoid misunderstandings. - 30:30 *🚀 Ambition in Founding Startups* - Encouraging ambition among founders is a key takeaway from Sam's experience at Y Combinator. - Clear communication is crucial for success in startup leadership. - Altman shares insights from his experiences in running YC and OpenAI. - 32:34 *🤔 Creativity and the Future of AI* - ChatGPT and future AI tools aim to enhance creativity by expanding human capabilities. - The tools will assist in ideation, but humans must curate and refine these ideas. - Altman believes AI can help generate ideas that were previously unthinkable. - 34:12 *🔍 Fragility of Ideas and Decision-Making* - Ideas are fragile and require careful nurturing to develop into viable projects. - Writing is an essential tool for organizing and clarifying thoughts. - External feedback from others is crucial for refining ideas. - 38:37 *🛠️ AI's Impact on Writing Skills* - Understanding how AI changes the writing landscape is critical. - Valuable skills will shift towards idea generation and taste curation. - AI serves as a collaborative tool for writers, enhancing but not replacing their creativity. 42:45 *📝 Writing Process and Preferences* - Sam Altman discusses his approach to writing and the tools he uses for it. - He finds voice recording helpful for generating ideas more freely than typing. - Balancing social interactions with solitude is crucial for his creative process. - 44:10 *📒 Note-Taking Habits* - Altman shares his extensive note-taking practices, emphasizing the importance of the right materials. - He prefers spiral notebooks for their flexibility and usability. - His system includes frequent ripping out of pages to manage and organize his notes. - 46:03 *✍️ The Role of Writing in the Age of AI* - Altman reflects on the evolving role of writing in the context of AI advancements. - He believes writing remains a critical tool for clear thinking, even with AI's rise. - Concerns about AI replacing writing are dismissed; he sees no evidence that this will happen. Made with HARPA AI

[@ahsanmohammed1]

Cannot have an honest conversation with Sam. Sorry.

[@FrancisHerding]

"I think it will have to be super intelligence before this is going to replace human writing." "Do you think the most popular novel of 2027 has a human name or not? Yes." Conclusion: Super intelligence AI in 2028

[@dj0ai]

What a great conversation. I might actually hear something for the first time here.

[@EricB1]

There was so much to "like", I clicked the "like" button!

[@admiralrohan]

How did you managed to stay focused on writing only when it's so tempting to diverge to different topics?

[@thedelightful5660]

Amazing views Sam! And great interview David!😃

[@dj0ai]

There is a quite intense silence in this interview. It's quite cool.

[@KayButtonJay]

The amount of vocal fry in this interview is wild

[@spaceghost8891]

Indeed, I was going to make the exact same comment. I think I can't listen to the whole thing.

[@ciaragriffin7398]

Fr Fr

[@jayhu2296]

Fry Fry

[@ruthelwethbrook6772]

Someone should tell Sam about sticky notes!

[@aliviablount]

Sam has always been a great writer. The old blog posts are still classic

[@Zeeshan-bv7mo]

Great discussion...

[@Iightbeing]

Sam is awesome. Boss AF.

[@theimproooooooover]

Lets gooooooo hype for this!

[@AfzalHussein]

Wow, great guest!

[@KarlProust]

His voice is like a robot. wrrr wrrr

[@alexhartan]

To be completely honest, I thought this was going to be another podcast with Sam and the same topics. I am glad I was wrong. This is a genuinely interesting conversation. Two creative people sharing their appreciation for writing, for two different reasons.

[@iLoveWriting365]

Thought the same thing!

[@joshua_the_creative]

Very excited for this!!!

[@antonbrndt]

Damn, there is tension in the room.

[@mike-q2f4f]

If you don't have time to write, do a podcast to clarify your thinking...

[@jayhu2296]

They both sound like they’ve just smoked a fat blunt after pulling an all nighter

[@toadlguy]

I clicked on this because I thought it must be a joke 😂 You realize you released this right after he tries to get a 10 billion dollar payday by turning OpenAI from a non profit to a for profit company (which he claimed he was running for no reimbursement before Congress) and 3 more of his top executives including his CTO quit.

[@Autodidacting]

Was there an outfit change or did the sweater just changed colors?

[@OpenSourceAnarchist]

I feel like at the end, Sam doesn't really appreciate the nuances of crafting an AI personality, perhaps because OpenAI is so used to blunting their models for the benefit of a massive user base. I can easily see people connecting with AI personalities that emulate various styles, or that have a penchant towards a novel creative blend. You can imagine these AIs tweeting, having AR and VR avatars, and emulating human traits perfectly with enough compute and time. I'm far more optimistic and pessimistic at once.

[@RichReportcom]

Sam looks much older than 38yrs old.

[@abhinavsingh101]

I sounded like the same interview replayed from the 30-minute mark

[@sikunowlol]

are we seriously talking about writing? what kind of questions are- you know what nvm.

[@pohdiquesti]

Cool, when AI will do my dishes, I didn’t want it to do my work (to pay my bills) … mankind is doomed, ai and robots have no vacations, dont need food or cars…hooray

[@dj0ai]

Why does he look so much up into the air, does he see something? What does he see?

[@kayode_knight]

Why do they keep looking at the ceiling?😅

[@demotoclose]

he used chatgpt to change his long sleeve shirt

[@EnjelinaReawaruw-x4f]

Salah satu panutanku.

[@GetEmergencyCash]

He’s a snake

[@dj0ai]

Is he funny?

[@angloland4539]

❤️

[@BroderJosef]

To headline that Altman would be the "Creator" of LLM or GPT is very misleading

[@m389nkfpe03]

Really not interested in this at all… So bored of Sam

[@JessieOB77]

Sam Altman was shocked to see a student use GPT to write their essay? What a lie. You keep saying writing is thinking. Well, you made something that eliminates the need to think. You're going to make people even more dumb, bro.

[@MCtok11]

ChatGPT is so bad now.

[@sam6000]

44:20 - The Notebook obsession is very relatable. I somehow like this guy more now!

[@Dylan-vf6jx]

do we get to hear sam's response to your question at 0:16 in the introduction? I think you cut it out

[@versatilityinaction]

The only "shiny object" we should turn our attention to, is the divine light of personal inspiration.