Generative artificial intelligence, or GenAI, has been a revolutionary development for nearly every industry. The technical advancements in the past decade have been nothing short of jaw-dropping. OpenAI has led the global charge through the creation of ChatGPT, so it was a distinct honor to host the company’s co-founder and CEO, Sam Altman, on campus during the next version of OpenAI’s products: OpenAI o1.
According to Altman, o1 is a notable breakthrough in that it now includes reasoning well beyond the capabilities of previous GenAI models. o1 holds the promise of a true paradigm shift in how people and organizations utilize the technology in that it will not only provide an answer but will use reasoning to understand what the user is asking of the model. For example, if a user asks o1 to develop the solution to a problem, the model could instruct the user to gather additional data to feed the model to provide an accurate response.
During Altman’s visit to campus, he shared an hour of his time with a select group of 30 students from across the University of Michigan in an Office Hours setting. Students came prepared with questions spanning a variety of topics, notably around the themes of AI infrastructure, safety, and computational needs. Sam expertly answered questions from nearly everyone in the room in brief, but dense responses. His insights provided the students with an amazing sense of the path forward for AI research and application given the o1.
From Rajdeep Mukherjee, BSE CSE ‘26:
Attending the exclusive event, Office Hours with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman at the University of Michigan was a dream come true. As one of only 30 students selected, the atmosphere was charged with excitement and anticipation from the start. Walking into an intimate setting, where Sam sat just a few feet away, felt surreal. We had the privilege of introducing ourselves and engaging in a one-on-one conversation with the visionary behind OpenAI. Being able to ask questions about AGI, AI applications, and the ethical challenges surrounding powerful AI models was a truly unforgettable experience. Learning firsthand about OpenAI’s latest breakthrough, “Strawberry,” the first model with human-like intelligence, felt like witnessing the next chapter of AI history unfold. Sam’s insights were not only enlightening but also robust and deeply inspiring, igniting in me an even greater determination to advance my own research in artificial intelligence.
What made the event even more special was the opportunity to connect personally with Sam Altman. After the Q&A, we took group photos, and I was fortunate enough to shake his hand and get a personal photo with him—something I had never imagined possible. This moment reinforced my resolve to contribute meaningfully to AI innovation. Following the Office Hours, we moved to a larger fireside chat session, where Sam shared even more insights with a broader group of fellow Wolverines. Meeting Sam in person and hearing his vision reaffirmed my belief that we are standing at the dawn of a new technological era, and I am beyond excited to be a part of it. One day, I hope to work under his guidance or as part of the incredible team he leads at OpenAI, contributing to the groundbreaking advancements shaping the future of AI. To collaborate with the pioneers defining the frontier of artificial intelligence and to be part of a legacy that is transforming the world for generations to come would be the ultimate fulfillment of a dream.
I extend my sincerest gratitude to the University of Michigan’s Center for Entrepreneurship with a very special note of thanks to Dr. Nick Moroz, Dan Feder, and everyone involved in making this incredible opportunity possible. Their commitment to connecting students with visionary leaders like Sam Altman has had a profound impact on my academic and professional journey, and I am truly grateful for the chance to be part of such a transformative experience.
From Maansi Nema, CS ‘26:
This past Thursday, I had the exciting chance to attend a Q&A session with Sam Altman. It was amazing to hear directly from him about OpenAI and the future of artificial intelligence. I enjoyed listening to everyone’s questions on topics like ethics, technological advances, and the impact of AI on society. The opportunity to meet Sam Altman in person was very inspiring and eye-opening. His thoughts on using AI for the greater good really connected with me. He talked about the challenge of balancing innovation with responsibility, stressing the importance of creating AI that aligns with human values.
After the office-hours session with Sam, more than 600 students and members of the U-M community were invited to join a fireside chat moderated by Dan Feder, Senior Managing Director of Investments for U-M.
From Akhil Kondepudi, MD/Ph.D. Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics:
Meeting Sam Altman as part of our student group was an unexpectedly personal and inspiring experience. Despite his prominent position in the AI world, Sam came across as genuinely approachable. He took the time to answer our questions and understand our perspectives, creating an atmosphere that felt more like a conversation with a mentor than a formal discussion with a tech leader.
What struck me most was Sam’s insight that “it’s easier to work on hard things than easy things.” This resonated deeply with my own experiences in research and academia. It’s a perspective that challenges conventional wisdom but rings true when you’re passionate about your work.
Equally impactful was his emphasis on the importance of community and teamwork in tackling big challenges. This echoes what I’ve found at our university – a sense of collective purpose and shared excitement about being part of this AI revolution.
Reflecting on the discussion, I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this paradigm shift at Michigan. Sam’s words reinforced my belief that we’re not just witnesses to this transformation, but active participants shaping its direction. It’s humbling yet exhilarating to realize the potential impact of our work, especially when guided by the kind of vision that Sam exemplifies.
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