Zara Stone

In July, Zoe Isabel Senón, a 25-year-old software engineer turned longevity community builder, strode onto a stage at Vitalia, a pop-up city in Roatan, Honduras, and pitched a longevity co-living house 2,632 miles away, in San Francisco. “Longevity biotech has the potential to save billions of lives,” she told the assembled futurists, transhumanists, techies, and crypto-royalty, “yet it suffers from a shortage of talent.”

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In July, Zoe Isabel Senón, a 25-year-old software engineer turned longevity community builder, strode onto a stage at Vitalia, a pop-up city in Roatan, Honduras, and pitched a longevity co-living house 2,632 miles away, in San Francisco. “Longevity biotech has the potential to save billions of lives,” she told the assembled futurists, transhumanists, techies, and crypto-royalty, “yet it suffers from a shortage of talent.”

Dressed in a black, off-the-shoulder, peasant-style minidress, Senón delivered her presentation with earnest intensity. “There’s no unified nexus,” she said. “Aevitas House will fix this.” Her ask: $50,000 to fund a four-month co-living pilot.

Dressed in a black, off-the-shoulder, peasant-style minidress, Senón delivered her presentation with earnest intensity. “There’s no unified nexus,” she said. “Aevitas House will fix this.” Her ask: $50,000 to fund a four-month co-living pilot.

“It’s shocking that this doesn&#8217;t exist,” she told The Standard one month later, referring to a house filled exclusively with people trying to live forever (or at least not die prematurely). In September, Aevitas House — named for the Latin word for &#8220;immortality&#8221; — welcomed six longevity researchers to a 4,000-square-foot Victorian in NoPa. The inaugural residents included Dmitry Zaika, a Russian native with a background in biotech engineering, and Yoyo Yuan, a Minerva University student exploring biocomputing with human <a href="https://sapientiaresearch.org/">neurons</a>. Over the next few months, Senón and her cofounder, Rob Shekoyan, 24, organized a series of salons, “revolution against death” parties, pitching workshops, and fireside chats with longevity leaders. Ivan Morgunov, CEO of gene therapy startup Unlimited Bio, discussed accelerating aging interventions, and Peter Fedichev, director and cofounder of <a href="https://gero.ai/about">Gero,</a> a biotech research startup, opined on engineering life beyond 120 years.&nbsp;

“It’s shocking that this doesn't exist,” she told The Standard one month later, referring to a house filled exclusively with people trying to live forever (or at least not die prematurely). In September, Aevitas House — named for the Latin word for "immortality" — welcomed six longevity researchers to a 4,000-square-foot Victorian in NoPa. The inaugural residents included Dmitry Zaika, a Russian native with a background in biotech engineering, and Yoyo Yuan, a Minerva University student exploring biocomputing with human <a href="https://sapientiaresearch.org/">neurons</a>. Over the next few months, Senón and her cofounder, Rob Shekoyan, 24, organized a series of salons, “revolution against death” parties, pitching workshops, and fireside chats with longevity leaders. Ivan Morgunov, CEO of gene therapy startup Unlimited Bio, discussed accelerating aging interventions, and Peter Fedichev, director and cofounder of <a href="https://gero.ai/about">Gero,</a> a biotech research startup, opined on engineering life beyond 120 years.&nbsp;

“It’s shocking that this doesn&#8217;t exist,” she told The Standard one month later, referring to a house filled exclusively with people trying to live forever (or at least not die prematurely). In September, Aevitas House — named for the Latin word for &#8220;immortality&#8221; — welcomed six longevity researchers to a 4,000-square-foot Victorian in NoPa. The inaugural residents included Dmitry Zaika, a Russian native with a background in biotech engineering, and Yoyo Yuan, a Minerva University student exploring biocomputing with human <a href="https://sapientiaresearch.org/">neurons</a>. Over the next few months, Senón and her cofounder, Rob Shekoyan, 24, organized a series of salons, “revolution against death” parties, pitching workshops, and fireside chats with longevity leaders. Ivan Morgunov, CEO of gene therapy startup Unlimited Bio, discussed accelerating aging interventions, and Peter Fedichev, director and cofounder of <a href="https://gero.ai/about">Gero,</a> a biotech research startup, opined on engineering life beyond 120 years.&nbsp;

Rob Sheko, 24, at the Sleighing Aging Holiday Party at Aevitas Longevity House in San Francisco on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. Longevity houses are the new hacker houses. Longevity hackers are people who use the specific scientific practices and data-driven approaches to limit the aging process with the hopes of improving overall well being and lifespan.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/8055987487-26-11.jpg?w=2398" alt="A man in a plaid shirt and cap sits in front of a poster titled &quot;The Vitalist Declaration.&quot; The text discusses life, health, aging, and death." class="wp-image-350579"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rob Shekoyan, 24, cofounder of Aevitas House.</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/8055987487-26-11.jpg?w=2398" alt="A man in a plaid shirt and cap sits in front of a poster titled &quot;The Vitalist Declaration.&quot; The text discusses life, health, aging, and death." class="wp-image-350579"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rob Shekoyan, 24, cofounder of Aevitas House.</figcaption></figure>

Guests reflected in the combination mirror and writing board that takes up a wall of the living room at the Sleighing Aging Holiday Party at Aevitas Longevity House in San Francisco on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. Longevity houses are the new hacker houses. Longevity hackers are people who use the specific scientific practices and data-driven approaches to limit the aging process with the hopes of improving overall well being and lifespan.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/8055987487-39.jpg?w=2500" alt="People are gathered indoors at a social event. A woman with curly red hair looks towards the camera, while two men converse nearby. Drinks are on a table." class="wp-image-350134"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Guests mingle Dec. 22 at Aevitas House&#8217;s &#8220;Sleighing Aging&#8221; holiday party.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/8055987487-39.jpg?w=2500" alt="People are gathered indoors at a social event. A woman with curly red hair looks towards the camera, while two men converse nearby. Drinks are on a table." class="wp-image-350134"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Guests mingle Dec. 22 at Aevitas House's "Sleighing Aging" holiday party.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/8055987487-39.jpg?w=2500" alt="People are gathered indoors at a social event. A woman with curly red hair looks towards the camera, while two men converse nearby. Drinks are on a table." class="wp-image-350134"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Guests mingle Dec. 22 at Aevitas House&#8217;s &#8220;Sleighing Aging&#8221; holiday party.</figcaption></figure>

Aevitas residents were asked to submit cheek swabs for the house&#8217;s biobank project. “It sounds crazy, but we’re collecting data to understand what works,” said Senón. “Ultimately, it’s about unlocking real, tangible health improvements. We use the term ‘radical life extension’ to attract the right kind of people.”

Aevitas residents were asked to submit cheek swabs for the house's biobank project. “It sounds crazy, but we’re collecting data to understand what works,” said Senón. “Ultimately, it’s about unlocking real, tangible health improvements. We use the term ‘radical life extension’ to attract the right kind of people.”

Aevitas residents were asked to submit cheek swabs for the house&#8217;s biobank project. “It sounds crazy, but we’re collecting data to understand what works,” said Senón. “Ultimately, it’s about unlocking real, tangible health improvements. We use the term ‘radical life extension’ to attract the right kind of people.”

Hacker houses — group spaces where mostly young, sometimes broke startup founders <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/12/16/startup-founder-grindcore-culture-ai/">grind long</a> into the night — have been a staple of Silicon Valley and San Francisco since the early 2000s. In recent years, the houses have become more themed, including the now-defunct <a href="https://cryptocastle.company">Crypto Castle</a> in Potrero Hill; the AGI House, dedicated to the search for artificial general intelligence, in Twin Peaks; and the crypto-attuned Web3 House in the Presidio. But whereas the earlier hacker houses emphasized productivity and a maximalist mindset toward work, the new co-living houses are hyper-focused on finding incremental ways to squeeze — or permanently extend — the time in one’s body.

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Hacker houses — group spaces where mostly young, sometimes broke startup founders <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/12/16/startup-founder-grindcore-culture-ai/">grind long</a> into the night — have been a staple of Silicon Valley and San Francisco since the early 2000s. In recent years, the houses have become more themed, including the now-defunct <a href="https://cryptocastle.company">Crypto Castle</a> in Potrero Hill; the AGI House, dedicated to the search for artificial general intelligence, in Twin Peaks; and the crypto-attuned Web3 House in the Presidio. But whereas the earlier hacker houses emphasized productivity and a maximalist mindset toward work, the new co-living houses are hyper-focused on finding incremental ways to squeeze — or permanently extend — the time in one’s body.

In November, Mark Hamalainen, co-executive director of the <a href="https://www.longbiofellowship.org/">Longevity Biotech Fellowship</a> and technical advisor for ARPA-H, a federal agency that supports longevity moonshots, opened <a href="https://longevitylodge.org/">Longevity Lodge</a>, a co-living community in Lake Tahoe. Cofounded with Nastya Egorova, CEO of a <a href="https://openlongevity.org/">nonprofit</a> aimed at building community around radical life extension, the Lodge was created as a hub for scientists to collaborate on cutting-edge aging research.

In November, Mark Hamalainen, co-executive director of the <a href="https://www.longbiofellowship.org/">Longevity Biotech Fellowship</a> and technical advisor for ARPA-H, a federal agency that supports longevity moonshots, opened <a href="https://longevitylodge.org/">Longevity Lodge</a>, a co-living community in Lake Tahoe. Cofounded with Nastya Egorova, CEO of a <a href="https://openlongevity.org/">nonprofit</a> aimed at building community around radical life extension, the Lodge was created as a hub for scientists to collaborate on cutting-edge aging research.

Mark Hamalainen, co-founder of the Longevity Biotech Fellowship, and technical advisor for ARPA-H, a federal agency that supports longevity moonshots, encourages cold plunges at Longevity Lodge in Lake Tahoe.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/l2.jpeg?w=1680" alt="Two people stand on snow-covered rocks by a stream in a snowy mountain landscape. One wears a towel, the other sports shorts. The sun shines brightly above." class="wp-image-348297"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cold exposure at Lake Tahoe is one of the benefits of staying at Longevity Lodge. </figcaption></figure>

Guests reflected in the combination mirror and drawing board in the living room during the Sleighing Aging Holiday Party at Aevitas Longevity House in San Francisco on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. Longevity houses are the new hacker houses. Longevity hackers are people who use the specific scientific practices and data-driven approaches to limit the aging process with the hopes of improving overall well being and lifespan.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/8055987487-32_7a651f.jpg?w=2500" alt="A room with people, a chandelier, and a glass board with colorful writings like &quot;Möbius Inversion.&quot; Chairs and items are scattered around." class="wp-image-350588"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">In addition to parties, Aevitas House hosts salons, pitching workshops, and fireside chats with longevity leaders.</figcaption></figure>

Aubrey de Grey presents a session on life extension.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/aevitas-house-credit-petarcekerevac2-edited.jpeg" alt="A person stands in dim lighting, speaking into a microphone. To their right, a vibrant image of a futuristic city is projected, labeled &quot;Freedom Cities &amp; Radical Life Extension.&quot;" class="wp-image-350556"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Some longevity houses were inspired by pop-up &#8220;cities&#8221; dedicated to the lifestyle.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/aevitas-house-credit-petarcekerevac2-edited.jpeg" alt="A person stands in dim lighting, speaking into a microphone. To their right, a vibrant image of a futuristic city is projected, labeled &quot;Freedom Cities &amp; Radical Life Extension.&quot;" class="wp-image-350556"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Some longevity houses were inspired by pop-up "cities" dedicated to the lifestyle.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/aevitas-house-credit-petarcekerevac2-edited.jpeg" alt="A person stands in dim lighting, speaking into a microphone. To their right, a vibrant image of a futuristic city is projected, labeled &quot;Freedom Cities &amp; Radical Life Extension.&quot;" class="wp-image-350556"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Some longevity houses were inspired by pop-up &#8220;cities&#8221; dedicated to the lifestyle.</figcaption></figure>

“When we don&#8217;t discuss dinner plans or board games for the night,” the lodge’s website says. “Aging research is all we talk about in this household!” 

“When we don't discuss dinner plans or board games for the night,” the lodge’s website says. “Aging research is all we talk about in this household!”

“When we don&#8217;t discuss dinner plans or board games for the night,” the lodge’s website says. “Aging research is all we talk about in this household!”

Hamalainen awards residency — rooms start at $2,000 a month —&nbsp; based on “fit,” with intake forms asking applicants about their biohacking devices and ideal life expectancy. “I want to live forever — the longer the better,” said Hamalainen. “The more people that work on it, the higher the chances that it happens.”&nbsp;

Hamalainen awards residency — rooms start at $2,000 a month —&nbsp; based on “fit,” with intake forms asking applicants about their biohacking devices and ideal life expectancy. “I want to live forever — the longer the better,” said Hamalainen. “The more people that work on it, the higher the chances that it happens.”&nbsp;

The Lodge advertises activities, such as communal cold plunges in Lake Tahoe and group sauna sessions, but these are secondary to the main purpose. “The biohacking stuff is small potatoes,” he said. “The important thing is well-funded R&amp;D to solve aging entirely.” (One perk of raising money out of the Longevity Lodge: zero income and capital gains tax, as it’s based on Tahoe’s Nevada side.) 

The Lodge advertises activities, such as communal cold plunges in Lake Tahoe and group sauna sessions, but these are secondary to the main purpose. “The biohacking stuff is small potatoes,” he said. “The important thing is well-funded R&amp;D to solve aging entirely.” (One perk of raising money out of the Longevity Lodge: zero income and capital gains tax, as it’s based on Tahoe’s Nevada side.)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-frontier">A new frontier</h2>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-frontier">A new frontier</h2>

The emergence of longevity-focused hacker houses is a natural evolution of the Bay Area hacker mindset, said Chelsea Rustrum, an author of the co-living manual <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Its-Shareable-Life-Practical-Sharing-ebook/dp/B00SVWF0JK?ref_=ast_author_mpb">“It&#8217;s a Shareable Life: A Practical Guide on Sharing.”</a> “Experimenting with the body and the mind is not so different from experimenting with new business models,” she said. “The focus seems to shift more toward wellness.”

The emergence of longevity-focused hacker houses is a natural evolution of the Bay Area hacker mindset, said Chelsea Rustrum, an author of the co-living manual <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Its-Shareable-Life-Practical-Sharing-ebook/dp/B00SVWF0JK?ref_=ast_author_mpb">“It's a Shareable Life: A Practical Guide on Sharing.”</a> “Experimenting with the body and the mind is not so different from experimenting with new business models,” she said. “The focus seems to shift more toward wellness.”

The emergence of longevity-focused hacker houses is a natural evolution of the Bay Area hacker mindset, said Chelsea Rustrum, an author of the co-living manual <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Its-Shareable-Life-Practical-Sharing-ebook/dp/B00SVWF0JK?ref_=ast_author_mpb">“It&#8217;s a Shareable Life: A Practical Guide on Sharing.”</a> “Experimenting with the body and the mind is not so different from experimenting with new business models,” she said. “The focus seems to shift more toward wellness.”

The movement toward longevity-themed houses is reflected in projects like Frontier Tower, a 92,000-square-foot, 16-floor co-living (depending on permits) and co-working hub set to open on Market Street in February, with founding memberships priced at $190 a month.&nbsp;

The movement toward longevity-themed houses is reflected in projects like Frontier Tower, a 92,000-square-foot, 16-floor co-living (depending on permits) and co-working hub set to open on Market Street in February, with founding memberships priced at $190 a month.&nbsp;

Dmitry Zaika, a four month resident of Aevitas and employee at a Longevity focused startup, stands in his bedroom during the Sleighing Aging Holiday Party at Aevitas Longevity House in San Francisco on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. Longevity houses are the new hacker houses. Longevity hackers are people who use the specific scientific practices and data-driven approaches to limit the aging process with the hopes of improving overall well being and lifespan.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/8055987487-33-edited.jpg" alt="A man smiles in a bedroom, wearing a white &quot;Vitalism&quot; T-shirt and holding a LaCroix can. The room has gray curtains, a bed, and a lamp on a bedside table." class="wp-image-350555"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dmitry Zaika, an engineer at a clinical-stage biotechnology startup, in his bedroom at Aevitas House.</figcaption></figure>

Jakob Drzazga, founder of Frontier Tower.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_9937-edited.jpeg" alt="A person with wavy hair smiles while standing on rocky terrain by the sea, wearing a white shirt and carrying a woven bag. The sky is partly cloudy." class="wp-image-350557"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jakob Drzazga, founder of Frontier Tower, a longevity hub slated to open on Market Street.</figcaption></figure>

One floor is reserved for longevity scientists, with others assigned to deep tech, decentralized science, crypto, and AI. Two shared floors will foster “cross-pollination of ideas,” according to founder Jakob Drzazga, who hopes this will enable “the next breakthrough idea that elevates humanity.” Floor 3 will have a day care center; Floor 2 is reserved for wellness and workouts and will likely be equipped with longevity-enhancing tech, from hyperbaric oxygen chambers to IV drips, blood draws, and infrared saunas, he said.

One floor is reserved for longevity scientists, with others assigned to deep tech, decentralized science, crypto, and AI. Two shared floors will foster “cross-pollination of ideas,” according to founder Jakob Drzazga, who hopes this will enable “the next breakthrough idea that elevates humanity.” Floor 3 will have a day care center; Floor 2 is reserved for wellness and workouts and will likely be equipped with longevity-enhancing tech, from hyperbaric oxygen chambers to IV drips, blood draws, and infrared saunas, he said.

Drzazga, a German Blockchain entrepreneur, who previously founded an artist’s collective in Berlin, said Frontier Tower — originally named Berlin House — stemmed from his love of <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/19/longevity-summer-camp/">pop-up cities</a> like <a href="https://zuvillage-georgia.framer.website/wiki/see-our-detailed-schedule-here-subject-to-change/copy">ZuVillage Georgia </a>and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/19/longevity-summer-camp/">Edge Esmeralda</a>. He wanted to recapture that magic, without the havoc wreaked by disrupted diet and exercise routines due to nomadic living. “[We’re] creating a permanent ‘pop-up’ village, in the middle of a city,” he said.&nbsp; “Living with talented people in your field and interacting with them [daily] is far more impactful. More touchpoints mean more creative energy, [which] means faster progress.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hackers on holiday: They&#8217;re building the city of the future from a summer camp in Sonoma

Drzazga, a German Blockchain entrepreneur, who previously founded an artist’s collective in Berlin, said Frontier Tower — originally named Berlin House — stemmed from his love of <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/19/longevity-summer-camp/">pop-up cities</a> like <a href="https://zuvillage-georgia.framer.website/wiki/see-our-detailed-schedule-here-subject-to-change/copy">ZuVillage Georgia </a>and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/19/longevity-summer-camp/">Edge Esmeralda</a>. He wanted to recapture that magic, without the havoc wreaked by disrupted diet and exercise routines due to nomadic living. “[We’re] creating a permanent ‘pop-up’ village, in the middle of a city,” he said.&nbsp; “Living with talented people in your field and interacting with them [daily] is far more impactful. More touchpoints mean more creative energy, [which] means faster progress.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

San Francisco was the obvious location, he said, due to the density of talent. He’s not concerned about the city’s sky-high development costs and famously sketchy conditions of this portion of Market Street: “I&#8217;m bullish on San Francisco.&#8221; The vision is suitably ambitious: The project’s charter includes negotiating visa deals for residents, providing health insurance, and creating “Black Mirror”-esque personalized social graphs to help members prioritize connections with one another.

San Francisco was the obvious location, he said, due to the density of talent. He’s not concerned about the city’s sky-high development costs and famously sketchy conditions of this portion of Market Street: “I'm bullish on San Francisco." The vision is suitably ambitious: The project’s charter includes negotiating visa deals for residents, providing health insurance, and creating “Black Mirror”-esque personalized social graphs to help members prioritize connections with one another.

San Francisco was the obvious location, he said, due to the density of talent. He’s not concerned about the city’s sky-high development costs and famously sketchy conditions of this portion of Market Street: “I&#8217;m bullish on San Francisco.&#8221; The vision is suitably ambitious: The project’s charter includes negotiating visa deals for residents, providing health insurance, and creating “Black Mirror”-esque personalized social graphs to help members prioritize connections with one another.

While Frontier House is designed as a permanent institution, a number of temporary longevity hacker houses are set to open this year. In April, <a href="http://www.vitalistbay.com">Vitalist Bay, </a>a two-month longevity pop-up city, is headed to Berkeley. Around 70 full-time residents and 4,000 visitors are expected, all gathered together under the banner of “solving aging,&#8221; said Adam Gries, an engineer turned investor who co-founded Vitalism, the nonprofit that’s running Vitalist Bay.

While Frontier House is designed as a permanent institution, a number of temporary longevity hacker houses are set to open this year. In April, <a href="http://www.vitalistbay.com">Vitalist Bay, </a>a two-month longevity pop-up city, is headed to Berkeley. Around 70 full-time residents and 4,000 visitors are expected, all gathered together under the banner of “solving aging," said Adam Gries, an engineer turned investor who co-founded Vitalism, the nonprofit that’s running Vitalist Bay.

While Frontier House is designed as a permanent institution, a number of temporary longevity hacker houses are set to open this year. In April, <a href="http://www.vitalistbay.com">Vitalist Bay, </a>a two-month longevity pop-up city, is headed to Berkeley. Around 70 full-time residents and 4,000 visitors are expected, all gathered together under the banner of “solving aging,&#8221; said Adam Gries, an engineer turned investor who co-founded Vitalism, the nonprofit that’s running Vitalist Bay.

Attendees can partake in on-site DEXA Scans, VO2 Max testing, sauna sessions, and blood draws, while they chow down on the longevity-approved fare that’s included with their tickets. “[We’re building] a concentrated ecosystem of health acceleration,&#8221; said Gries, who is firmly in the techno optimist camp. “Anybody visiting will be immersed in the latest research, innovation, and policy, [and will be given] permission to dream about a better way to address aging.”

Attendees can partake in on-site DEXA Scans, VO2 Max testing, sauna sessions, and blood draws, while they chow down on the longevity-approved fare that’s included with their tickets. “[We’re building] a concentrated ecosystem of health acceleration," said Gries, who is firmly in the techno optimist camp. “Anybody visiting will be immersed in the latest research, innovation, and policy, [and will be given] permission to dream about a better way to address aging.”

Attendees can partake in on-site DEXA Scans, VO2 Max testing, sauna sessions, and blood draws, while they chow down on the longevity-approved fare that’s included with their tickets. “[We’re building] a concentrated ecosystem of health acceleration,&#8221; said Gries, who is firmly in the techno optimist camp. “Anybody visiting will be immersed in the latest research, innovation, and policy, [and will be given] permission to dream about a better way to address aging.”

Another pop-up longevity house is <a href="https://www.phoenixaeries.com/">Phoenix Aerie</a>, scheduled to open in June in San Francisco. It will provide free, three-month residences for eight emerging longevity scientists ages 18 to 25, said founder Hudson Eaton, a 21-year-old biochemistry and molecular biology undergrad at Brown University. “The time is right for a co-living house,” he said. “I no longer get the crazy eyes when I talk about longevity.” Applications <a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/2e566342-0341-401a-8f40-44cd6bf41c4b?j=eyJ1IjoiMThyMW0ifQ.8ZKGMcpFikHMPrCoDcYo076DfLDS9Rzsp_ec7LvW828">are</a> open through January.

Another pop-up longevity house is <a href="https://www.phoenixaeries.com/">Phoenix Aerie</a>, scheduled to open in June in San Francisco. It will provide free, three-month residences for eight emerging longevity scientists ages 18 to 25, said founder Hudson Eaton, a 21-year-old biochemistry and molecular biology undergrad at Brown University. “The time is right for a co-living house,” he said. “I no longer get the crazy eyes when I talk about longevity.” Applications <a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/2e566342-0341-401a-8f40-44cd6bf41c4b?j=eyJ1IjoiMThyMW0ifQ.8ZKGMcpFikHMPrCoDcYo076DfLDS9Rzsp_ec7LvW828">are</a> open through January.

Of course, not every longevity house lives up to the hype. In September, Tianyu Guo, 28, a generative AI engineer from Canada, cofounded Hylomorph in Hayes Valley, naming the house after Aristotle’s idea that everything is made up of matter and form. Guo hosted twice-weekly Bryan Johnson-approved Blueprint dinners and organized group meditations and accountability work groups for his housemates. “The major theme is how we can use biohacking to maximize our productivity,” he said.

Of course, not every longevity house lives up to the hype. In September, Tianyu Guo, 28, a generative AI engineer from Canada, cofounded Hylomorph in Hayes Valley, naming the house after Aristotle’s idea that everything is made up of matter and form. Guo hosted twice-weekly Bryan Johnson-approved Blueprint dinners and organized group meditations and accountability work groups for his housemates. “The major theme is how we can use biohacking to maximize our productivity,” he said.

But the good times didn&#8217;t last. The hectic clip of startup life was not conducive to a longevity mindset, he said, pointing to an endless stream of events, chaotic parties, and hackathons that got in the way of his hoped-for community vibes. “San Francisco is not optimized for longevity; the pace is too fast,” he noted.

But the good times didn't last. The hectic clip of startup life was not conducive to a longevity mindset, he said, pointing to an endless stream of events, chaotic parties, and hackathons that got in the way of his hoped-for community vibes. “San Francisco is not optimized for longevity; the pace is too fast,” he noted.

But the good times didn&#8217;t last. The hectic clip of startup life was not conducive to a longevity mindset, he said, pointing to an endless stream of events, chaotic parties, and hackathons that got in the way of his hoped-for community vibes. “San Francisco is not optimized for longevity; the pace is too fast,” he noted.

Guests shoes at the entry way of the Sleighing Aging Holiday Party at Aevitas Longevity House in San Francisco on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. Longevity houses are the new hacker houses. Longevity hackers are people who use the specific scientific practices and data-driven approaches to limit the aging process with the hopes of improving overall well being and lifespan.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/8055987487-35.jpg?w=2500" alt="The image shows a cluttered collection of various shoes, including sneakers, boots, and casual footwear, scattered on a wooden floor near a white wall." class="wp-image-350590"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">“The time is right for a co-living house,” one founder said. “I no longer get the crazy eyes when I talk about longevity.” </figcaption></figure>

In late November, Guo returned to Canada, joining a friend’s longevity-focused co-living house. “We have a monk, we meditate — it’s a much better situation,” he said. Still, he hasn’t ruled out a return to San Francisco: “It’s the right environment for a co-living house, but next time, I’d open one in the South Bay.”

In late November, Guo returned to Canada, joining a friend’s longevity-focused co-living house. “We have a monk, we meditate — it’s a much better situation,” he said. Still, he hasn’t ruled out a return to San Francisco: “It’s the right environment for a co-living house, but next time, I’d open one in the South Bay.”

So far, Senón has had the opposite experience with Aevitas House. It&#8217;s been so successful that she and Shekoyan are negotiating to extend their lease and have opened applications for their <a href="https://aevitashouse.bio/apply/">next cohort</a>, which will focus on&nbsp; bio-enhancement in addition to anti-aging. “Interest in longevity is growing,” she said. “Radical life extension is like aiming for the stars. Maybe we’ll land in the stratosphere, but that’s still progress.”

So far, Senón has had the opposite experience with Aevitas House. It's been so successful that she and Shekoyan are negotiating to extend their lease and have opened applications for their <a href="https://aevitashouse.bio/apply/">next cohort</a>, which will focus on&nbsp; bio-enhancement in addition to anti-aging. “Interest in longevity is growing,” she said. “Radical life extension is like aiming for the stars. Maybe we’ll land in the stratosphere, but that’s still progress.”

So far, Senón has had the opposite experience with Aevitas House. It&#8217;s been so successful that she and Shekoyan are negotiating to extend their lease and have opened applications for their <a href="https://aevitashouse.bio/apply/">next cohort</a>, which will focus on&nbsp; bio-enhancement in addition to anti-aging. “Interest in longevity is growing,” she said. “Radical life extension is like aiming for the stars. Maybe we’ll land in the stratosphere, but that’s still progress.”

Living together, forever: SF’s newest hacker houses play to the longevity crowd

Kevin Truong

Joshua Bote

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was ousted in a sudden boardroom knifing on Friday arising from a power struggle over the direction of the company behind ChatGPT.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was ousted in a sudden boardroom knifing on Friday arising from a power struggle over the direction of the company behind ChatGPT.

According to <a href="https://twitter.com/gdb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a tweet</a> from former OpenAI President Greg Brockman, Altman received a text on Thursday night from OpenAI Chief Scientist and fellow board member Ilya Sutskever, asking him to meet at noon Friday.

According to <a href="https://twitter.com/gdb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a tweet</a> from former OpenAI President Greg Brockman, Altman received a text on Thursday night from OpenAI Chief Scientist and fellow board member Ilya Sutskever, asking him to meet at noon Friday.

When Altman logged into the meeting, Brockman wrote, the entire OpenAI board was present—except for Brockman. Sutskever informed Altman he was being fired.&nbsp;

When Altman logged into the meeting, Brockman wrote, the entire OpenAI board was present—except for Brockman. Sutskever informed Altman he was being fired.&nbsp;

Brockman said that soon after, he had a call with the board, where he was informed that he would be removed from his board position and that Altman had been fired. Then, OpenAI published a blog post sharing the news of Altman’s ouster.&nbsp;

Brockman said that soon after, he had a call with the board, where he was informed that he would be removed from his board position and that Altman had been fired. Then, OpenAI published a blog post sharing the news of Altman’s ouster.&nbsp;

Brockman wrote that the only person on the management team who knew ahead of time was Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/17/sam-altman-openai-chatgpt-mira/">who was named interim CEO</a>.

Sam Altman fired as CEO of OpenAI, creator of ChatGPT

Brockman wrote that the only person on the management team who knew ahead of time was Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/17/sam-altman-openai-chatgpt-mira/">who was named interim CEO</a>.

“Sam and I are shocked and saddened by what the board did today,” Brockman wrote.

“Sam and I are shocked and saddened by what the board did today,” Brockman wrote.

A knowledgeable source said the board struggle reflected a cultural clash at the organization, with Altman and Brockman focused on commercialization and Sutskever and his allies focused on the original nonprofit mission of OpenAI.

A knowledgeable source said the board struggle reflected a cultural clash at the organization, with Altman and Brockman focused on commercialization and Sutskever and his allies focused on the original nonprofit mission of OpenAI.

The board oversees the nonprofit that controls the organization&#8217;s for-profit subsidiary, with a stated mission to create safe artificial general intelligence that is broadly beneficial to humanity. According to OpenAI’s governance structure, independent directors are meant to make up the majority of the board and do not hold equity in OpenAI.

The board oversees the nonprofit that controls the organization's for-profit subsidiary, with a stated mission to create safe artificial general intelligence that is broadly beneficial to humanity. According to OpenAI’s governance structure, independent directors are meant to make up the majority of the board and do not hold equity in OpenAI.

The board oversees the nonprofit that controls the organization&#8217;s for-profit subsidiary, with a stated mission to create safe artificial general intelligence that is broadly beneficial to humanity. According to OpenAI’s governance structure, independent directors are meant to make up the majority of the board and do not hold equity in OpenAI.

One major issue, the source said, was how the billions of investment from Microsoft and other private investors called that mission into question. Axios reported that Microsoft, OpenAI’s largest investor, was <a href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/17/microsoft-openai-sam-altman-ouster" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">also blindsided</a> by the move.

One major issue, the source said, was how the billions of investment from Microsoft and other private investors called that mission into question. Axios reported that Microsoft, OpenAI’s largest investor, was <a href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/17/microsoft-openai-sam-altman-ouster" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">also blindsided</a> by the move.

“We have a long-term agreement with OpenAI with full access to everything we need to deliver on our innovation agenda and an exciting product roadmap; and remain committed to our partnership, and to Mira and the team,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in a statement soon after the news of Altman’s firing.

“We have a long-term agreement with OpenAI with full access to everything we need to deliver on our innovation agenda and an exciting product roadmap; and remain committed to our partnership, and to Mira and the team,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in a statement soon after the news of Altman’s firing.

Internally, OpenAI has been thrown into turmoil, with multiple all-hands meetings held after the news broke. There is fear of a mass exodus out of the company by both executives and rank-and-file employees, the source said.

Internally, OpenAI has been thrown into turmoil, with multiple all-hands meetings held after the news broke. There is fear of a mass exodus out of the company by both executives and rank-and-file employees, the source said.

According to a blog post shared on OpenAI’s website Friday, the board of directors  let Altman go after a review process that found &#8220;he was not consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering its ability to exercise its responsibilities.&#8221;&nbsp;

According to a blog post shared on OpenAI’s website Friday, the board of directors let Altman go after a review process that found "he was not consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering its ability to exercise its responsibilities."&nbsp;

According to a blog post shared on OpenAI’s website Friday, the board of directors let Altman go after a review process that found &#8220;he was not consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering its ability to exercise its responsibilities.&#8221;&nbsp;

&#8220;The board no longer has confidence in his ability to continue leading OpenAI,” the post said.&nbsp;

"The board no longer has confidence in his ability to continue leading OpenAI,” the post said.&nbsp;

&#8220;The board no longer has confidence in his ability to continue leading OpenAI,” the post said.&nbsp;

A chart illustrating OpenAI's complex governance structure.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/screenshot-2023-11-17-at-6-31-20-pm.png?w=2436" alt="Flow chart with six boxes" class="wp-image-223486"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This chart illustrates OpenAI&#8217;s complex governance structure.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/screenshot-2023-11-17-at-6-31-20-pm.png?w=2436" alt="Flow chart with six boxes" class="wp-image-223486"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This chart illustrates OpenAI's complex governance structure.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/screenshot-2023-11-17-at-6-31-20-pm.png?w=2436" alt="Flow chart with six boxes" class="wp-image-223486"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This chart illustrates OpenAI&#8217;s complex governance structure.</figcaption></figure>

OpenAI has raised $11.3 billion in funding from investors, including Microsoft, Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz and Tiger Global, according to Crunchbase.

OpenAI has raised $11.3 billion in funding from investors, including Microsoft, Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz and Tiger Global, according to Crunchbase.

A number of board members left OpenAI this year prior to Altman’s departure, including former congressman Will Hurd, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis, who is the mother of two of Elon Musk’s children.&nbsp;

A number of board members left OpenAI this year prior to Altman’s departure, including former congressman Will Hurd, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis, who is the mother of two of Elon Musk’s children.&nbsp;

Hours after his termination, Altman took to X, calling the events of the day “a weird experience,” “sorta like reading your own eulogy while you&#8217;re still alive,” and thanking people for their support.

Hours after his termination, Altman took to X, calling the events of the day “a weird experience,” “sorta like reading your own eulogy while you're still alive,” and thanking people for their support.

Hours after his termination, Altman took to X, calling the events of the day “a weird experience,” “sorta like reading your own eulogy while you&#8217;re still alive,” and thanking people for their support.

core/embed

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://twitter.com/sama/status/1725742088317534446?s=20
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">i love you all. today was a weird experience in many ways. but one unexpected one is that it has been sorta like reading your own eulogy while you’re still alive. the outpouring of love is awesome. one takeaway: go tell your friends how great you think they are.&mdash; Sam Altman (@sama) <a href="https://twitter.com/sama/status/1725742088317534446?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Here’s a rundown of the board members who were responsible for Altman’s firing.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Here’s a rundown of the board members who were responsible for Altman’s firing.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ilya-sutskever">Ilya Sutskever</h2>

An OpenAI co-founder who serves as the company’s chief scientist, Sutskever grew up in Russia and Israel before moving to Canada, where he received a doctorate in computer science under AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton. (Hinton, incidentally, resigned from Google in May in order to publicly voice concerns about the risks of the technology.)

An OpenAI co-founder who serves as the company’s chief scientist, Sutskever grew up in Russia and Israel before moving to Canada, where he received a doctorate in computer science under AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton. (Hinton, incidentally, resigned from Google in May in order to publicly voice concerns about the risks of the technology.)

After working as an academic researching neural networks and computer vision, Sutskever eventually made his way to Google, where he worked as a research scientist working on natural language processing algorithms and TensorFlow, the company’s open-source software library focused on machine learning and AI.

After working as an academic researching neural networks and computer vision, Sutskever eventually made his way to Google, where he worked as a research scientist working on natural language processing algorithms and TensorFlow, the company’s open-source software library focused on machine learning and AI.

He later left Google and became one of the founding members of OpenAI in 2015. He served as the organization’s research director until 2018, when he was made chief scientist. More recently, he was announced as one of the leaders of the company’s Superalignment project, which is meant to help steer superintelligent AI toward human values and goals. He is currently the only remaining OpenAI co-founder on the organization’s board.&nbsp;

He later left Google and became one of the founding members of OpenAI in 2015. He served as the organization’s research director until 2018, when he was made chief scientist. More recently, he was announced as one of the leaders of the company’s Superalignment project, which is meant to help steer superintelligent AI toward human values and goals. He is currently the only remaining OpenAI co-founder on the organization’s board.&nbsp;

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adam-d-angelo-nbsp">Adam D’Angelo&nbsp;</h2>

The CEO of Quora started the question-and-answer site in 2008 after serving as the chief technology officer of Facebook. He is longtime friends with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, dating back to their time at the elite prep school Phillips Exeter Academy, where they developed a music app called Synapse together.&nbsp;

The CEO of Quora started the question-and-answer site in 2008 after serving as the chief technology officer of Facebook. He is longtime friends with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, dating back to their time at the elite prep school Phillips Exeter Academy, where they developed a music app called Synapse together.&nbsp;

Quora CEO Adam D'Angelo poses for a picture on the red carpet for the 6th annual 2018 Breakthrough Prizes at Moffett Federal Airfield, Hangar One in Mountain View, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) (Photo by MediaNews Group/Bay Area News via Getty Images)

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/gettyimages-1172241496.jpg?w=2500" alt="Quora CEO Adam D'Angelo can be seen wearing a black tuxedo, white shirt and a black bowtie. A woman is standing to his left smiling." class="wp-image-223455"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Quora CEO Adam D&#8217;Angelo is a board member of OpenAI. </figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/gettyimages-1172241496.jpg?w=2500" alt="Quora CEO Adam D'Angelo can be seen wearing a black tuxedo, white shirt and a black bowtie. A woman is standing to his left smiling." class="wp-image-223455"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Quora CEO Adam D'Angelo is a board member of OpenAI. </figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/gettyimages-1172241496.jpg?w=2500" alt="Quora CEO Adam D'Angelo can be seen wearing a black tuxedo, white shirt and a black bowtie. A woman is standing to his left smiling." class="wp-image-223455"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Quora CEO Adam D&#8217;Angelo is a board member of OpenAI. </figcaption></figure>

D’Angelo joined OpenAI’s board in 2018. “One of the reasons I was excited to join was that it would let me keep tabs on the world of AI. It’s been great to see the organization evolve,” he <a href="https://www.semafor.com/article/04/19/2023/quora-ceo-adam-dangelo-on-poe-becoming-the-web-browser-for-ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">told Semafor</a>.&nbsp;

D’Angelo joined OpenAI’s board in 2018. “One of the reasons I was excited to join was that it would let me keep tabs on the world of AI. It’s been great to see the organization evolve,” he <a href="https://www.semafor.com/article/04/19/2023/quora-ceo-adam-dangelo-on-poe-becoming-the-web-browser-for-ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">told Semafor</a>.&nbsp;

Late last year, Quora launched a chatbot platform called Poe—and in October, weeks ahead of OpenAI’s DevDay, announced monetization for people who create useful bots on the Poe platform. (The model is very similar to the creator payments that Altman announced during OpenAI’s developer day.)

Late last year, Quora launched a chatbot platform called Poe—and in October, weeks ahead of OpenAI’s DevDay, announced monetization for people who create useful bots on the Poe platform. (The model is very similar to the creator payments that Altman announced during OpenAI’s developer day.)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tasha-mccauley">Tasha McCauley</h2>

McCauley served as the CEO for Israeli city modeling startup GeoSim Systems between 2019 and 2022 and previously founded robotics company Fellow Robots with one of her former colleagues at Singularity University. McCauley has sat on OpenAI’s board since 2018 and also sits on GeoSim’s board of directors.&nbsp;

McCauley served as the CEO for Israeli city modeling startup GeoSim Systems between 2019 and 2022 and previously founded robotics company Fellow Robots with one of her former colleagues at Singularity University. McCauley has sat on OpenAI’s board since 2018 and also sits on GeoSim’s board of directors.&nbsp;

According to McCauley’s LinkedIn profile, she is also a director of the Ten to the Ninth Plus Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on “empowering exponential technological change worldwide.”

According to McCauley’s LinkedIn profile, she is also a director of the Ten to the Ninth Plus Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on “empowering exponential technological change worldwide.”

OpenAI board member Tasha McCauley speaks at the 2014 Kairos Global Summit at Ritz-Carlton Laguna Nigel on October 17, 2014 in Dana Point, California.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/gettyimages-457394286.jpg?w=2500" alt="Three men can be seen in the foreground as OpenAI board member Tasha McCauley talks, holding a microphone, at a panel. To her right is another man on a panel." class="wp-image-223457"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tech entrepreneur Tasha McCauley is on the board of OpenAI.</figcaption></figure>

McCauley has been married to 500 Days of Summer and Don Jon actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt since 2014. The couple were signatories of the <a href="https://futureoflife.org/open-letter/ai-principles/">Asilomar AI Principles</a>, which lay out a set of 23 AI governance guidelines.

McCauley has been married to 500 Days of Summer and Don Jon actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt since 2014. The couple were signatories of the <a href="https://futureoflife.org/open-letter/ai-principles/">Asilomar AI Principles</a>, which lay out a set of 23 AI governance guidelines.

McCauley is also part of the advisory board of the Centre for the Governance of AI, a British research organization focused on responsible development of the technology.&nbsp;

McCauley is also part of the advisory board of the Centre for the Governance of AI, a British research organization focused on responsible development of the technology.&nbsp;

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-helen-toner">Helen Toner</h2>

Toner serves as the director of strategy and foundational research grants at Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology.&nbsp;

Toner serves as the director of strategy and foundational research grants at Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology.&nbsp;

Previously, she worked as a senior analyst at effective altruism-focused nonprofit Open Philanthropy, co-founded by Facebook and Asana co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, and as an AI researcher at Oxford.

Previously, she worked as a senior analyst at effective altruism-focused nonprofit Open Philanthropy, co-founded by Facebook and Asana co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, and as an AI researcher at Oxford.

Helen Toner, Director of Strategy and Foundational Research Grants at Georgetown's CSET, speaks onstage during Vox Media's 2023 Code Conference at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel on September 27, 2023 in Dana Point, California.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/gettyimages-1705021267.jpg?w=2500" alt="Helen Toner of Georgetown's CSET wears a red cardigan and a white blouse speaking at Vox Media's 2023 Code Conference. Behind her is a pink and yellow background." class="wp-image-223458"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Helen Toner, director of strategy and foundational research grants at Georgetown&#8217;s Center for Security and Emerging Technology, is an OpenAI board member.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/gettyimages-1705021267.jpg?w=2500" alt="Helen Toner of Georgetown's CSET wears a red cardigan and a white blouse speaking at Vox Media's 2023 Code Conference. Behind her is a pink and yellow background." class="wp-image-223458"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Helen Toner, director of strategy and foundational research grants at Georgetown's Center for Security and Emerging Technology, is an OpenAI board member.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/gettyimages-1705021267.jpg?w=2500" alt="Helen Toner of Georgetown's CSET wears a red cardigan and a white blouse speaking at Vox Media's 2023 Code Conference. Behind her is a pink and yellow background." class="wp-image-223458"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Helen Toner, director of strategy and foundational research grants at Georgetown&#8217;s Center for Security and Emerging Technology, is an OpenAI board member.</figcaption></figure>

She joined the OpenAI board in 2021 with a stated focus on safety and long-term risks and effects of AI. She was the co-author of a piece published in Foreign Affairs in June entitled “<a href="https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/illusion-chinas-ai-prowess-regulation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Illusion of China&#8217;s AI Prowess</a>,” arguing that U.S. regulation around AI would not hamper the country’s development of the technology compared to China.

She joined the OpenAI board in 2021 with a stated focus on safety and long-term risks and effects of AI. She was the co-author of a piece published in Foreign Affairs in June entitled “<a href="https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/illusion-chinas-ai-prowess-regulation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Illusion of China's AI Prowess</a>,” arguing that U.S. regulation around AI would not hamper the country’s development of the technology compared to China.

She joined the OpenAI board in 2021 with a stated focus on safety and long-term risks and effects of AI. She was the co-author of a piece published in Foreign Affairs in June entitled “<a href="https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/illusion-chinas-ai-prowess-regulation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Illusion of China&#8217;s AI Prowess</a>,” arguing that U.S. regulation around AI would not hamper the country’s development of the technology compared to China.

Toner is also part of the advisory board of the Centre for the Governance of AI.

Toner is also part of the advisory board of the Centre for the Governance of AI.

How OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was fired by rival board members

Matthew Kupfer

Move over, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/police-want-killer-robots-as-backup-in-dangerous-situations-some-sf-leaders-balk-at-the-idea/">killer robots</a>. The hottest technology out of San Francisco is now <a href="https://chat.openai.com/chat" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OpenAI’s new chatbot</a>.

Move over, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/police-want-killer-robots-as-backup-in-dangerous-situations-some-sf-leaders-balk-at-the-idea/">killer robots</a>. The hottest technology out of San Francisco is now <a href="https://chat.openai.com/chat" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OpenAI’s new chatbot</a>.

Called ChatGPT, the bot is currently in its testing phase and free to use for anyone with an OpenAI account. And the internet is taking notice.&nbsp;

Called ChatGPT, the bot is currently in its testing phase and free to use for anyone with an OpenAI account. And the internet is taking notice.&nbsp;

The premise is simple: You type in a prompt and the AI responds. On Twitter, users are sharing the often hilarious results—whether that’s lyrics for a <a href="https://twitter.com/wafoli/status/1598599023312523265?s=20&amp;t=-8pYYdfSGCQJjmDCUC_srw" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">song about being drunk at Costco</a> or a <a href="https://twitter.com/CynthiaSavard/status/1598498138658070530?s=20&amp;t=-8pYYdfSGCQJjmDCUC_srw" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">touching letter to their son explaining that there’s no such thing as Santa Claus</a>.

The premise is simple: You type in a prompt and the AI responds. On Twitter, users are sharing the often hilarious results—whether that’s lyrics for a <a href="https://twitter.com/wafoli/status/1598599023312523265?s=20&amp;t=-8pYYdfSGCQJjmDCUC_srw" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">song about being drunk at Costco</a> or a <a href="https://twitter.com/CynthiaSavard/status/1598498138658070530?s=20&amp;t=-8pYYdfSGCQJjmDCUC_srw" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">touching letter to their son explaining that there’s no such thing as Santa Claus</a>.

But it’s not all fun and games. OpenAI, which is based in San Francisco’s Mission District, describes its mission as ensuring that artificial general intelligence benefits humanity.

But it’s not all fun and games. OpenAI, which is based in San Francisco’s Mission District, describes its mission as ensuring that artificial general intelligence benefits humanity.

And ChatGPT can be used for more than, say, writing an imaginary episode of Seinfeld or composing a Shakespearean sonnet about having explosive diarrhea—which, we must stress, is something we definitely did not do because The Standard is a serious media organization.

And ChatGPT can be used for more than, say, writing an imaginary episode of Seinfeld or composing a Shakespearean sonnet about having explosive diarrhea—which, we must stress, is something we definitely did not do because The Standard is a serious media organization.

Asked how the technology works, the chatbot said that it’s able to &#8220;analyze the responses it receives and adjust its behavior accordingly, allowing it to improve its performance over time.&#8221; That means the more people use it, the smarter it gets.&nbsp;

Asked how the technology works, the chatbot said that it’s able to "analyze the responses it receives and adjust its behavior accordingly, allowing it to improve its performance over time." That means the more people use it, the smarter it gets.&nbsp;

Asked how the technology works, the chatbot said that it’s able to &#8220;analyze the responses it receives and adjust its behavior accordingly, allowing it to improve its performance over time.&#8221; That means the more people use it, the smarter it gets.&nbsp;

But what does the AI know about San Francisco? We asked it to write a typical San Francisco news story.&nbsp;

But what does the AI know about San Francisco? We asked it to write a typical San Francisco news story.&nbsp;

The results show a solid grasp of the issues that San Francisco is perhaps most infamous for: Homelessness and unaffordability.&nbsp;Most surprisingly, the AI sometimes generated fictional quotes from San Francisco politicians and activists—and not just Mayor Breed.

The results show a solid grasp of the issues that San Francisco is perhaps most infamous for: Homelessness and unaffordability.&nbsp;Most surprisingly, the AI sometimes generated fictional quotes from San Francisco politicians and activists—and not just Mayor Breed.

Search Results for: artificial intelligence

Living together, forever: SF’s newest hacker houses play to the longevity crowd

How OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was fired by rival board members

We asked an AI to write a typical SF story: Here’s what it came up with