From a tense corporate split to a viral photo: A timeline of Anthropic and OpenAI's budding rivalry (www.businessinsider.com)

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, made headlines during a recent AI summit in India when they notably refused to join hands in a moment that represented unity among tech leaders. This viral image has become a symbol of the rising tensions and competitive spirit between their two companies, which were once collaborators at OpenAI. The timeline of their rivalry reveals a complex history, beginning with their early collaboration on AI projects, leading to Amodei's departure from OpenAI in 2020 due to differences over safety and operational strategies, and the subsequent founding of Anthropic focused on ethical AI development. The significance of this rivalry lies in how it highlights the divergent paths of two leading AI firms and their philosophies regarding AI safety and deployment. Amodei’s emphasis on responsible AI contrasts with OpenAI's broader commercial ambitions, which have led to rapid iterations of models like ChatGPT. As both companies push the boundaries of AI technology, their rivalry may shape industry standards and ethics, particularly in how AI systems are developed and integrated into society. This ongoing tension, marked by public jabs and strategic moves, underscores a pivotal moment in the AI landscape, reminiscent of a modern tech "Cold War."