In a recent interview with podcaster Lex Fridman, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman offered insights into Elon Musk’s decision to file a lawsuit against the organization. Altman emphasized that Musk’s concerns extend beyond the debate of open-source technology.
The lawsuit, which targets OpenAI, Altman, and cofounder Greg Brockman, alleges that the company has deviated from its original nonprofit mission by adopting a hybrid for-profit and non-profit structure, particularly through its partnership with Microsoft.
Altman pointed out that Musk’s lawsuit isn’t solely about the open-source aspect, as indicated by the founding agreement’s language regarding technology sharing for public benefit. He also referenced emails that suggested Musk initially supported OpenAI’s shift in strategy and even advocated for a potential merger with Tesla.
Musk’s unconventional proposal to drop the lawsuit if OpenAI changed its name to “ClosedAI” was met with astonishment by Altman, who noted the seriousness with which Musk approached the legal action.
Expressing disappointment, Altman described the situation as unbecoming of Musk, whom he respects as one of the foremost innovators of our time. He highlighted the irony of Musk, who has faced criticism himself, now being the source of scrutiny.
Altman also hinted at Musk’s decision to open-source the code for his chatbot Grok, suggesting that it was a reactionary move prompted by public scrutiny of perceived hypocrisy.
Overall, Altman’s comments shed light on the complexity of Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI, underscoring that it involves broader issues beyond just open-source technology.
