Elon Musk has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, the organization behind ChatGPT, alleging a departure from its original mission and the principles established when Musk helped found it in 2015.
The lawsuit, also targeting OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, claims that the organization has shifted focus from its initial non-profit, open-source objectives to prioritizing profit maximization, particularly for major investor Microsoft.
OpenAI was initially established with the goal of developing artificial general intelligence (AGI) for the betterment of humanity, operating as a not-for-profit entity.
Musk, along with Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman, founded the organization under these conditions, although Musk departed three years later.
The lawsuit seeks to compel OpenAI to adhere to its founding agreement and return to its original mission of AGI development for the benefit of humanity, rather than individual or corporate gain, specifically Microsoft’s.
This legal action follows reports of US regulators investigating OpenAI over potential investor misrepresentation, prompted by internal boardroom conflicts in November 2023.
During this period, Altman faced sudden dismissal from the board, only to be reinstated shortly afterward.
The board cited communication issues and a loss of confidence in Altman’s leadership.
Microsoft, deeply involved in the turmoil, offered jobs to departing OpenAI staff, which Musk expressed concern about publicly.
According to Musk’s legal team, these events underscore Microsoft’s growing influence over OpenAI, particularly regarding its closed-source technologies like GPT-4, allegedly serving Microsoft’s proprietary interests.
Microsoft’s initial $1 billion investment in 2019 expanded into a multi-billion partnership in January 2023 following the launch of ChatGPT, prompting regulatory scrutiny from authorities in the UK, EU, and US.
Source-BBC
