A senior software engineer at Google has written a critique stating that the company is losing its edge in artificial intelligence (AI) to the open-source community. The leaked document, published by consulting firm SemiAnalysis, has gained attention in tech circles.
In the memo, the engineer argues that Google’s rivalry with startup OpenAI has distracted the company from the rapid developments made in open-source technology. The author claims that Google is not positioned to win the arms race with OpenAI and that the real threat comes from open-source communities.
The employee asserts that engineers in open-source communities are speedily advancing models that rival the quality of those at big tech companies, and can be made more cheaply. These models can be faster, more customizable, and more useful than Google’s own. The author expressed concern that clients would not be willing to pay for models with such high-quality technology available for free.
The spokesperson for Google did not provide a comment on the content of the post. In a recent earnings call, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said that “our investments and breakthroughs in AI over the last decade have positioned us well”, pointing to progress in developing models and working with developers and other partners.
In February, a large language model created by Meta leaked out into the open, jump-starting progress on generative AI in open-source forums. The model, known as LLaMA, is smaller than the models that Google and OpenAI have been touting, making it easier to work with. Researchers currently have to apply to Meta to access LLaMA.
The author of the memo argues that Google would do well to shift its focus to smaller, more nimble models. “Giant models are slowing us down,” the engineer wrote. “In the long run, the best models are the ones that can be iterated upon quickly.”
As progress in generative AI accelerates, employees at Google and other tech giants have engaged in spirited discussions internally and externally about the technology that is remaking their industry. Google, in particular, has come under pressure as the wild popularity of OpenAI’s chatbot ChatGPT has sparked concerns that the company may be losing its advantage in AI, a field where it has long been a leader.
