Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the remarkable success of a new hedge fund, SALP, founded by 23-year-old Leopold Aschenbrenner, which achieved a 47% return in just six months, significantly outperforming Wall Street averages by 700% [2][14]. Group 1: Background of the Founder - Leopold Aschenbrenner, born in 2001 in Germany, demonstrated exceptional research talent from a young age, winning awards in top youth science competitions and graduating from Columbia University at 19 with top honors [6][8]. - After graduation, Aschenbrenner focused on research and public welfare, working at the Global Priorities Institute at Oxford University, where he engaged with the effective altruism movement [9][10]. - He later joined the FTX Future Fund team, aiming to allocate funds to projects with the potential to improve humanity, but lost this opportunity when FTX collapsed in late 2022 [10]. Group 2: Creation of SALP - Following his departure from OpenAI in April 2024, Aschenbrenner published a significant 165-page paper titled "Situational Awareness: The Decade Ahead," which gained substantial attention in the tech and investment communities [11][13]. - In late 2024, he founded Situational Awareness LP (SALP), focusing exclusively on AGI investments, with initial assets exceeding $1.5 billion [3][13]. Group 3: Investment Philosophy and Strategy - SALP is characterized as a pure AI-native fund, with a strategy that emphasizes concentrated investments in a few high-confidence areas rather than diversifying across many sectors [4][15]. - The fund's investment philosophy is termed "AGI realism," which acknowledges the imminent arrival of AGI and aims to maximize its benefits while minimizing risks [16][17]. - SALP's investment focus includes upstream AI infrastructure, power supply, and essential resources for AI development, positioning itself to capitalize on the anticipated AI revolution [18][19]. Group 4: Notable Investments - SALP's notable investment includes acquiring a significant stake in Core Scientific, a cryptocurrency mining company that was undervalued due to its data center assets, which the fund supported in transitioning to AI computing services [3][22]. - The fund has also invested heavily in companies like Broadcom and Vistra, betting on the increasing demand for power and infrastructure necessary for AI advancements [21][22].

Core Insights - A new hedge fund, SALP, founded by 23-year-old Leopold Aschenbrenner, achieved a remarkable 47% return in just six months, significantly outperforming Wall Street averages by 700% [2][20][21] - Aschenbrenner, previously associated with OpenAI, was dismissed for raising concerns about security vulnerabilities, leading him to establish SALP focused entirely on AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) investments [3][12][14] Fund Overview - SALP is characterized as a pure AI-native fund, with 100% of its investments directed towards AI-related opportunities, distinguishing it from traditional funds that diversify across various sectors [4][22] - The fund's assets reportedly exceeded $1.5 billion by 2025, allowing for a concentrated investment strategy in a few high-confidence areas [23][24] Investment Philosophy - SALP operates under a mission-driven philosophy, focusing on AGI and its implications, rather than merely seeking high-growth companies [26][29] - The fund's strategy includes significant investments in AI infrastructure, such as computing power and energy, which are deemed essential for the future of AGI [32][34] Key Investments - SALP's notable investment includes Core Scientific, a cryptocurrency mining company that transitioned to AI computing services, highlighting the fund's ability to identify undervalued assets [3][35] - The fund also holds positions in major chip manufacturers like Broadcom and Intel, as well as energy companies like Vistra, anticipating a surge in demand for power due to AI advancements [35] Future Outlook - Aschenbrenner predicts that AGI could emerge around 2027, with a potential "intelligence explosion" following its realization, which would drastically alter economic and social structures [15][16][29] - The fund's approach is to leverage financial tools for both long and short positions, aiming to profit regardless of market conditions [27][28]