Elon Musk has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, alleging that the company is prioritizing profit over the benefit of humanity by developing AGI for Microsoft’s profit.
Musk claims OpenAI has strayed from its original mission of creating AGI for the benefit of humanity and is now a closed-source subsidiary of Microsoft.
“OpenAI Inc has been transformed into a closed-source, de facto subsidiary of the largest technology company in the world: Microsoft. Under its new board, it is not just developing but is actually refining an AGI to maximise profits for Microsoft, rather than for the benefit of humanity,” the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit also mentions concerns about the potential dangers of AGI in the hands of for-profit companies.
“Where some like Mr Musk see an existential threat in AGI, others see AGI as a source of profit and power,” said the lawsuit, noting that AGI poses a “particularly acute and noxious danger to humanity”.
“This secrecy is primarily driven by commercial considerations, not safety,” the lawsuit says.
“This case is filed to compel OpenAI to adhere to the founding agreement and return to its mission to develop AGI for the benefit of humanity, not to personally benefit the individual defendants and the largest technology company in the world,” the lawsuit claims.
“It’s hard to see that he has any standing to attempt to enforce his ‘founding agreement’ or the certificate,” Boston College law school professor Brian Quinn said.
Musk, a key figure in OpenAI’s early years, is seeking to compel OpenAI to return to its original mission.
