OpenAI's chief scientist says AI progress has been "surprisingly slow" and promises big leaps ahead

THE DECODER / 4/25/2026

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Key Points

  • OpenAI has released GPT-5.5, but leadership—including chief scientist Jakub Pachocki—argues that major breakthroughs have not yet arrived.
  • Pachocki characterized recent AI progress as “surprisingly slow,” implying that current improvements may be smaller than expected.
  • He expects “extremely significant improvements” in the medium term, signaling an outlook for larger capability gains ahead.
  • The article frames OpenAI’s stance as a promise of big leaps, positioning the next phase of advancement as a continuation of ongoing research rather than a completed cycle.

OpenAI has released GPT-5.5, and the company's leadership says the real breakthroughs are still ahead. Chief scientist Jakub Pachocki expects "extremely significant improvements" in the medium term, calling recent AI progress "surprisingly slow."

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