OpenAI Fires Back Against Musk’s Allegations: CEO Suggests He Wanted Profit-Making Venture in 2017

OpenAI Fires Back Against Musk, Claims He Wanted an OpenAI For-Profit

In a surprise counterattack, OpenAI has fired back against Elon Musk’s lawsuit, alleging that the billionaire entrepreneur actually proposed turning OpenAI into a for-profit entity in 2017.

According to emails published by OpenAI, Musk reportedly suggested creating a for-profit company with the OpenAI brand and intellectual property. However, when he failed to secure majority equity, Musk allegedly abandoned his plans and instead chose to focus on his own AI ventures, including xAI.

OpenAI’s statement comes as a response to Musk’s renewed allegations that the non-profit AI research organization is deliberately stifling competition by extracting promises from investors not to fund its rivals. The company has been accused of prohibiting them from investing in OpenAI’s competitors, thereby limiting innovation and harming the market.

However, OpenAI claims that this move was actually requested by Musk himself during their initial negotiations. In one email, an OpenAI representative is quoted as saying: “You can’t make a for-profit business out of [OpenAI’s] nonprofit mission.”

The dispute marks the latest development in the high-stakes legal battle between the two parties. Musk’s lawsuit alleges that OpenAI has betrayed its original non-profit mandate by transitioning to a for-profit entity, citing alleged improprieties and conflicts of interest.

In response, OpenAI asserts that it is simply adapting to the changing landscape of AI research, stating: “We have great respect for Elon’s accomplishments and gratitude for his early contributions to OpenAI, but he should be competing in the marketplace rather than the courtroom.”

The allegations come as OpenAI continues to expand its services, including the recent launch of its AI-powered chatbot, ChatGPT.

Source: techcrunch.com