Elon Musk has once again taken legal action against Sam Altman, accusing the Tesla CEO of being manipulated into co-founding OpenAI. Musk claims that Altman and current OpenAI President Greg Brockman deceived him into believing that the artificial intelligence firm was a non-profit organization. However, after investing millions of dollars, Musk alleges that he was betrayed as Altman and his associates, with the help of Microsoft, established for-profit OpenAI affiliates and engaged in self-dealing practices. The lawsuit describes the actions of Altman and Brockman as being of “Shakespearean proportions.”
Manipulation and False Promises
In the lawsuit filed in a district court in Northern California, Musk asserts that he was manipulated by Altman and Brockman with promises of a safer and more open approach to artificial intelligence. Musk claims that Altman assured him that the non-profit structure of OpenAI would ensure neutrality, safety, and openness for the benefit of humanity, rather than for shareholder value. However, Musk now alleges that these promises were nothing more than “hot-air philanthropy” designed to lure him into a long con orchestrated by Altman.
Microsoft’s Involvement
The lawsuit also implicates Microsoft in the situation, claiming that the tech giant sought to leverage its position with OpenAI by enticing the company to use and become dependent on Microsoft’s cloud computing system. Despite Musk expressing admiration for Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella, the lawsuit states that the values of the company did not align with those of OpenAI, Inc. Microsoft is the largest investor in OpenAI, having invested a reported $13 billion into the company. The lawsuit further alleges that Microsoft systematically entrenched itself further into OpenAI over the years.
Overall, the lawsuit paints a picture of deceit, manipulation, and betrayal, with Musk at the center of a complex web of relationships and allegations. It remains to be seen how the legal battle between Musk, Altman, and OpenAI will unfold, but the implications for the future of artificial intelligence and technology are significant. The lawsuit serves as a stark reminder of the risks and challenges involved in the development and use of artificial intelligence, and the need for transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making in the industry. Only time will tell how this high-stakes legal drama will play out and what impact it will have on the wider tech community.
Leave a Reply