OpenAI's recently departed VP of research calls Google's comeback 'OpenAI's fumble' (www.businessinsider.com)

Jerry Tworek, the former VP of research at OpenAI, criticized the company for losing its lead in the AI race, which he attributes to significant missteps following the launch of ChatGPT in 2022. On a recent podcast, Tworek noted that Google's resurgence with its Gemini 3 AI model is a direct consequence of OpenAI's inability to maintain its edge. He mentioned that while Google deserves recognition for its advancements, OpenAI should have leveraged its initial advantage and positioned itself as the leader in AI research and deployment. Tworek highlighted a growing industry trend where companies are pressured to demonstrate user growth and profitability, impacting their willingness to take risks. This competitive landscape has compelled even top firms like OpenAI to shift focus from innovative, high-risk research to more conservative strategies aimed at immediate gains. He suggested that this dynamic has allowed competitors like Google to catch up rapidly, indicating a pivotal moment in the AI sector where innovation may be sacrificed for stability. Overall, Tworek's insights suggest a pressing need for AI companies to balance risk and competition to sustain their relevance and leadership in the rapidly evolving field.