I think the most likely scenario of general-purpose AI creation is not a “big project” at all. Reason is, most problems that are now supposed to require human-level intelligence probably do not. Therefore, programs that can manage a company, programs that can do scientific research, programs that can program will be developed far earlier than direct approach to general AI brings any meaningful results. Then, general-purpose AI will be not a huge breakthrough, but just a small final step. At that point, anyone can do it, it requires ideas rather than resources.
So, the first general-purpose AI will likely be money-maximizer with “do not break laws” as the only internal constraint.
I think the most likely scenario of general-purpose AI creation is not a “big project” at all. Reason is, most problems that are now supposed to require human-level intelligence probably do not. Therefore, programs that can manage a company, programs that can do scientific research, programs that can program will be developed far earlier than direct approach to general AI brings any meaningful results. Then, general-purpose AI will be not a huge breakthrough, but just a small final step. At that point, anyone can do it, it requires ideas rather than resources. So, the first general-purpose AI will likely be money-maximizer with “do not break laws” as the only internal constraint.