Technology

Elon Musk Criticizes OpenAI's Sam Altman for Abandoning Non-Profit Status in Light of New AI Development

Published February 17, 2024

Elon Musk, co-founder of OpenAI and CEO of Tesla, Inc. TSLA, has rekindled his critique of Sam Altman, the current CEO of OpenAI, concerning the company's shift from a non-profit to a profit-seeking entity. This criticism was publicly voiced following OpenAI's announcement of its latest text-to-video AI tool, dubbed Sora. The altercation revives a previous dispute between the two tech visionaries as they diverge in their visions for the future of artificial intelligence.

OpenAI's Evolution and Controversy

Originally established as a non-profit with the promise of freely sharing advancements in AI, OpenAI has since recalibrated its trajectory, opting for a for-profit model that aligns with more conventional business strategies. This pivot has raised questions and concerns from Musk and others who were involved in the firm's early stages, as they fear that the pursuit of profit may cloud the ethical and open-source ethos initially championed by the organization.

Musk's Stance on AI and Ethics

Musk, who has a long-standing interest in the ethical development and deployment of AI, asserts that OpenAI's decision compromises the founding principles meant to prevent the concentration of powerful AI technologies in the hands of a few. He has been an outspoken advocate for the responsible and widespread distribution of AI improvements, with the goal of avoiding potential monopolistic scenarios and ensuring that AI benefits all of humanity equally.

About Tesla, Inc. TSLA

Tesla, Inc. TSLA, is a major player in the electric vehicle and clean energy sectors, headquartered in Palo Alto, California. The company boasts a broad portfolio of products that includes electric cars, solar panels, and energy storage systems. Its prominent position in electric car sales and its extensive installation of solar photovoltaic systems in the U.S. are testaments to its influence and reach within the industry. Tesla Energy, as part of the company's composition, is a revered supplier of battery energy storage around the world. In 2020 alone, Tesla delivered an impressive 3 GWh of battery storage.

Musk, OpenAI, Altman