Elon Musk Sues OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman
Elon Musk is embroiled in yet another high-profile battle, this time taking on artificial-intelligence start-up OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman. Musk has filed a lawsuit alleging that OpenAI has strayed from its founding agreement, claiming it has essentially become a “de facto subsidiary” of Microsoft, its primary financial supporter.
Founding Member Turned Critic
Having co-founded OpenAI in 2015, Musk resigned from the board in 2018. Since then, he has been vocal in his criticism of the company’s approach to commercial licensing. His main argument in the lawsuit is to push OpenAI back to its original mission of developing artificial general intelligence (AGI) for the betterment of humanity, rather than for the personal gain of individuals or the world’s largest technology company.
Legal Action Unfolds
The lawsuit, filed in a San Francisco court on Thursday, aims to hold OpenAI accountable and uphold the terms of the founding agreement. Despite the legal action, OpenAI and Microsoft have yet to provide any official statements regarding the matter.
Complex Dynamics at Play
While Musk’s involvement in a rival xAI startup could be seen as contradictory, this lawsuit underscores the ongoing tension surrounding OpenAI’s non-profit structure and social objectives. The situation highlights potential challenges for both the company and its prominent backer, Microsoft.