Elon Musk sued OpenAI in California Superior Court late on Thursday for deviating from its original non-profit mission for profit.
Musk claims that OpenAI was founded in 2015 as a non-profit focused on open-source AI development but has shifted towards making money. He highlights this change with the release of GPT-4 which, according to the lawsuit, is primarily a product for Microsoft, a major investor in OpenAI.
Elon Musk sues ChatGPT-maker OpenAI pic.twitter.com/RAuyyHPR7d
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The billionaire wants to make sure the first deal is followed. He demands that OpenAI’s research and technology, including GPT-4, be made publicly accessible and not used for the financial benefit of Microsoft or any individuals.
Musk is pushing for a judicial declaration that would categorize GPT-4 and a newer technology, referred to as Q*, as artificial general intelligence (AGI), thus exempting them from Microsoft’s licensing agreements with OpenAI.
The lawsuit also highlights concerns regarding the secrecy surrounding the development of OpenAI’s latest iterations of AI technology. Musk argues that this secrecy goes against the idea of working together in the AI world. This could leave out many researchers and developers who might help and gain from these new techs.
Axios reported that OpenAI executives have dismissed the claims. Sam Altman, in a note, anticipated ongoing attacks but remained steadfast in their mission.
“It was never going to be a cakewalk,” Altman said in his note, also seen by Axios. “The attacks will keep coming.”
Musk’s legal action against OpenAI and its co-founders extends beyond contractual disputes. It touches upon broader ethical considerations about the role of AI in society and the responsibilities of those who wield significant influence in its development.
As Elon Musk sued OpenAI, this will likely prompt increased debate about the moral implications of AI advancement and the accountability of key individuals in dominant AI firms.
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