Elon Musk Supported OpenAI’s Shift to For-Profit Model, Emails Reveal
In a surprising turn of events, emails released by OpenAI show that Elon Musk, the co-founder of the company, actually supported its decision to transition to a for-profit model. This revelation comes in response to Musk’s recent lawsuit against OpenAI, in which he accused the company of prioritizing profits over the public good and straying from its original mission.
OpenAI, originally established as a non-profit organization, gained recognition for its ChatGPT chatbot based on large language models. However, in 2018, Musk decided to sever ties with the company, citing a potential conflict with Tesla’s own AI efforts and disagreements over OpenAI’s direction on AI safety.
Over the past few months, Musk has been publicly criticizing OpenAI for its move towards a for-profit structure. His own AI startup, xAI, has further fueled this ongoing feud. Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI seemed to be a culmination of his concerns regarding the company’s shift in focus.
In response to Musk’s claims, OpenAI fought back with a blog post, stating its intention to dismiss all of Elon’s claims. The company provided evidence, including emails, that revealed Musk’s initial support for a move to for-profit. According to OpenAI, in late 2017, both Musk and the company agreed that transitioning to a for-profit entity was the next step. Musk even expressed his desire for majority equity, initial board control, and to be CEO. However, during the discussions, he withheld funding, leading to Reid Hoffman stepping in to cover salaries and operations.
When OpenAI expressed concerns about an individual having absolute control over the organization, Musk suggested merging OpenAI into Tesla instead. In an email forwarded by Musk in early February 2018, he proposed that OpenAI should “attach to Tesla as its cash cow,” acknowledging that Tesla was the only entity capable of rivaling Google, albeit with a small probability of success.
OpenAI released one of the emails exchanged between Musk and a redacted individual to support their claims. Musk responded to the person’s logic for merging OpenAI and Tesla by stating, “exactly right.”
The release of these emails has left many questioning Musk’s motives and credibility. Elon’s public criticism of OpenAI’s move to for-profit now appears hypocritical, considering his previous support for the transition, but only if he had control over the company as a separate entity or within Tesla.
This revelation raises doubts about Musk’s consistency and authenticity. It seems that he wants AI to benefit humanity, but only if he is the one leading the charge. This aligns with what Sam Altman, former CEO of OpenAI, stated last year: “Elon desperately wants the world to be saved, but only if he is the one saving it.”
Furthermore, it is worth noting that Musk’s competing AI startup conveniently aligns with his mission to “save the world” from AI while potentially benefiting financially from its success. The timing and circumstances surrounding these events raise suspicions about Musk’s true intentions.
In conclusion, the release of these emails has shed light on the complex dynamics between Elon Musk and OpenAI. While Musk initially supported OpenAI’s shift to a for-profit model, his subsequent criticism and lawsuit against the company have raised questions about his consistency and motives. As this feud continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how it will impact both OpenAI and Musk’s reputation in the AI industry.
