---
title: "Be number one in four categories"
description: "Altman's late 2019 vision memo setting what OpenAI must lead on by the end of 2020"
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/empire-of-ai/be-number-one-in-four-categories/
updated: 2026-11-03
---

# Be number one in four categories

> Altman's late 2019 vision memo setting what OpenAI must lead on by the end of 2020

Karen Hao's framework, from Empire of AI, pp. 150 to 234.

Framework 1 of 7 from [Empire of AI](https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/empire-of-ai/index.md) by Karen Hao. Category: AI.

## The steps

1. **Technical results.** Lead on capability, the most important category, because OpenAI needs to build beneficial AGI first or shape its development
2. **Compute.** Keep Microsoft close as the supplier of the most powerful supercomputers
3. **Money.** Earn enough to buy more compute, making more money in order to do more research
4. **Preparation.** Strengthen safety, security and resilience to high-stress situations

## Where it comes from

From chapter: Part II, pp. 150–234

## The animation

24 seconds, 4:5, no sound.

- MP4: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/empire-of-ai/be-number-one-in-four-categories.mp4
- MP4, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/empire-of-ai/be-number-one-in-four-categories-dark.mp4
- Still: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/empire-of-ai/be-number-one-in-four-categories.png
- Still, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/empire-of-ai/be-number-one-in-four-categories-dark.png