OpenAI has issued a comprehensive response to a lawsuit initiated by Elon Musk, one of its co-founders, by expressing its intention to dismiss all of his claims. In a detailed blog post, OpenAI delineates its viewpoint regarding its relationship with Musk and the trajectory of the company’s mission. The post discloses that Musk had proposed merging OpenAI with Tesla and sought complete control, including majority equity, initial board control, and the CEO position. OpenAI rejected these terms, deeming it inconsistent with their mission for any single individual to possess absolute control over the company.
Additionally, the blog post addresses Musk’s assertions that OpenAI has strayed from its original nonprofit mission and has transformed into a closed-source subsidiary of Microsoft focused solely on profit. OpenAI rebuffs these claims by underscoring its dedication to constructing safe and beneficial artificial general intelligence (AGI) while ensuring that the advantages are widely dispersed. They also clarify that while their mission doesn’t mandate open-sourcing AGI, they are making their technology widely accessible, including through open-source contributions.
OpenAI accentuates its accomplishments, such as facilitating Albania’s acceleration in its EU accession process and aiding farmers in Kenya and India through initiatives like Digital Green. They also mention the utilization of their tools in healthcare and language preservation, showcasing the practical applications of their AI technology.
The blog post further includes a historical narrative of the funding commitments and Musk’s evolving perspectives on the company’s likelihood of success, ranging from proposing a $1 billion funding commitment to subsequently departing OpenAI and establishing a competitor within Tesla. OpenAI expresses regret over the legal dispute with Musk, whom they once deeply admired.
