I don't find this argument very compelling. Technical work has been commodified to a great extent, even in bleeding edge applications. Does anybody have any doubt that OpenAI has timetables with clear action items that need to happen so they can release their next model?
The counter-example of a software to abstract SQL queries is weird. This is exactly what we have been doing with other levels of abstraction, happily so. Why write Python instead of just using a compiled language? Because it's easier, and allows you to hire different types of people and focus on higher order problems. Maybe that's offensive if you are a world-class programmer like the author seems to think he is.
Yes, yes. In case of OpenAI: not only clear action but all the research and the disciveries needed are planned at least a few years ahead. They know exactly when AGI is going to be here!!!
The counter-example of a software to abstract SQL queries is weird. This is exactly what we have been doing with other levels of abstraction, happily so. Why write Python instead of just using a compiled language? Because it's easier, and allows you to hire different types of people and focus on higher order problems. Maybe that's offensive if you are a world-class programmer like the author seems to think he is.