OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever has announced his transition into the CEO role at Safe Superintelligence (SSI), the AI venture he founded in 2024. This leadership shift follows the departure of co-founder Daniel Gross, who officially exited the company on June 29. Sutskever confirmed the change via a public statement on X, noting that SSI co-founder Daniel Levy will assume the position of president.
The move comes amid reports suggesting Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg attempted to acquire Safe Superintelligence, which holds a $32 billion valuation, and sought to recruit Gross alongside investor Nat Friedman. Sutskever addressed speculation about acquisition interest, stating, “We are flattered by their attention but are focused on seeing our work through. We have the compute, we have the team, and we know what to do. Together we will keep building safe superintelligence.”
As you know, Daniel Gross’s time with us has been winding down, and as of June 29 he is officially no longer a part of SSI. We are grateful for his early contributions to the company and wish him well in his next…
— Ilya Sutskever (@ilyasut) July 3, 2025
Gross’s exit raises questions about the company’s trajectory, particularly given its singular focus on developing “safe superintelligence” as its sole mission. The startup positions itself as a dedicated research lab without commercial product distractions—a contrast to Meta’s broader ambitions. Zuckerberg’s recent memo outlined plans for Meta Superintelligence Labs, emphasizing integration with existing products like AI wearables. Gross, known for leading AI initiatives at Apple post-acquisition, could align with Meta’s product-driven approach.
Sutskever’s ascent to CEO introduces fresh challenges, including fundraising and talent acquisition. Despite his prior role as OpenAI’s chief scientist and involvement in high-profile leadership decisions, steering SSI’s strategic vision will test his executive capabilities. He affirmed his commitment to overseeing technical operations while managing the startup’s ambitious goals.
The AI talent race continues intensifying, with Meta recruiting top researchers from OpenAI and Google DeepMind. As Sutskever navigates SSI’s next phase, the industry watches whether his focus on safety-first superintelligence can coexist with Silicon Valley’s rapid commercialization trends.
