AI After 5 Book Club: Empire of AI, Part 2
Welcome back to the AI After 5 Book Club. Haven't read the chapters? Come anyway. Reading helps the discussion, but you'll still get plenty out of listening and joining in.
This Session: Chapters 5–8 of Empire of AI by Karen Hao
When does a mission become a business? These chapters follow OpenAI from a research lab "for humanity" to a company racing to scale: the bet that bigger models win, the decision to hold back GPT-2, Sam Altman taking the helm, Microsoft's billions, and what happened to the researchers who raised concerns.
On the menu:
Mission vs money: Can a mission "for humanity" survive billions in investment? Have you seen that tension at work?
Too dangerous to release? OpenAI held back GPT-2, calling it too risky. Was that caution, clever marketing, or both?
Who gets to criticise? What happens to research when the critics are paid by the companies they critique?
What it means for us: Has anything in these chapters changed how you choose or use AI tools? (No reading needed for this one.)
How It Works
We'll keep it relaxed and lightly structured: an hour together on Google Meet, a few prompts, and an open conversation. Missed part one? You'll be fine, as we'll start with a quick recap of chapters 1–4. Bring one moment that surprised you, or just come to listen.
About AI After 5
AI After 5 is a global community of 450+ women learning and building with AI. What you do in your 5–9 helps you achieve in your 9–5.
Grab a spot, and bring a friend who's curious about AI.