OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that the company expects to achieve a fully autonomous “AI researcher” by 2028, with an intern-level assistant ready by 2026. The goal, Altman said, is to create a system capable of conducting large-scale scientific projects independently, marking a milestone on the path toward artificial general intelligence.
Chief Scientist Jakub Pachocki described the envisioned system as one able to solve complex problems using extended computational reasoning – dedicating entire data centers to single challenges if necessary. OpenAI believes such advances could accelerate breakthroughs in medicine, physics, and technology.
The announcement coincides with OpenAI’s transition into a public benefit corporation, freeing it from nonprofit constraints and enabling greater funding flexibility. The OpenAI Foundation, which retains 26% ownership, will guide research priorities and oversee a $25 billion commitment to health and AI safety initiatives aligned with the company’s mission.
