Elon Musk has publicly criticized OpenAI, the AI research organization he co-founded in 2015, for deviating from its foundational mission. On October 11, Musk retweeted a post by former OpenAI board member Helen Toner, who voiced her worries about the company’s current practices. Toner remarked, “Every so often, OpenAI employees ask me how I see the co now. It’s always tough to give a simple answer. Some things they’re doing, eg on CoT monitoring or building out system cards, are great.
But the dishonesty & intimidation tactics in their policy work are really not.” In response, Musk shared his opinion, stating, “OpenAI is built on a lie.” He further asserted, “They stole a charity and used it for their own financial gain,” referring to the organization’s shift from a non-profit to a capped-profit model. This represents Musk’s latest in a series of public critiques, as he has consistently raised concerns about AI governance and the transparency of entities like OpenAI. His comments arise amidst ongoing discussions regarding the ethical implications of AI development and the responsibilities of companies in the sector. OpenAI was originally founded as a non-profit organization focused on AI research.
In 2019, it established OpenAI LP, a for-profit subsidiary, to attract investment from Microsoft and other partners. This transformation has sparked controversy, with detractors arguing that it compromises the organization’s initial purpose. Musk’s remarks have triggered responses throughout the tech community, igniting questions about the balance between innovation and ethical considerations in AI development. As the discourse continues, the future trajectory of OpenAI and its position within the broader AI landscape remain closely examined topics.