OpenAI's internal five-step plan for achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) provides a structured framework for tracking progress in AI development. The company shared this classification system with employees on July 9, 2024, and plans to release it to investors and external parties in the future2. The plan outlines five levels of AI capability, starting from conversational AI (Level 1) and progressing through reasoners, agents, and innovators, culminating in AI systems capable of functioning as entire organizations (Level 5)23. OpenAI currently considers itself at Level 1 and approaching Level 2, which represents AI systems that can solve problems at a doctorate level of education2. This roadmap is considered a work in progress and may evolve based on feedback and advancements in AI technology2.

The first level of OpenAI's AGI roadmap focuses on conversational AI, which represents the current state of the company's technology. At this stage, AI systems excel at engaging in natural, human-like conversations, demonstrating a foundational understanding and the ability to respond to a wide range of prompts and questions12. This level is exemplified by models like ChatGPT, which can interact with users in a conversational manner across various topics. While impressive, this stage is just the beginning of the journey towards AGI, with OpenAI acknowledging that significant advancements are still needed to reach more sophisticated levels of artificial intelligence32.

The second level of OpenAI's AGI roadmap introduces "Reasoners" - AI systems capable of solving complex problems with the proficiency of human experts. These systems are expected to perform problem-solving tasks as well as a person with a PhD-level education, without access to external resources12. This milestone represents a significant leap from mimicking human behavior to demonstrating genuine intellectual prowess. OpenAI believes it is approaching this level, which marks a crucial transition in AI capabilities towards more advanced reasoning and problem-solving skills23.

At the third level of OpenAI's AGI roadmap, "Agents" emerge as AI systems capable of operating autonomously for extended periods. These advanced models can spend several days acting on a user's behalf, taking on complex tasks, making decisions, and adapting to changing circumstances without constant human oversight12. This level represents a significant leap in AI autonomy and practical utility, potentially revolutionizing industries by handling intricate operations independently. The development of such agents marks a crucial step towards more sophisticated AI applications, bridging the gap between problem-solving capabilities and the ability to function as independent entities in real-world scenarios.

The fourth level of OpenAI's AGI roadmap introduces "Innovators" - AI systems capable of developing groundbreaking ideas and solutions across various fields. This stage represents a significant leap forward, as it signifies AI's ability to drive innovation and progress independently1. The pinnacle of the roadmap, Level 5, envisions AI "Organizations" that can function as entire entities, possessing strategic thinking, operational efficiency, and adaptability to manage complex systems and achieve organizational goals2. While these advanced levels remain theoretical, they represent the ultimate ambition of AI researchers and highlight the potential for AI to revolutionize industries and organizational structures in the future.