OpenAI Says Elon Musk Regrets His Early Exit From the Company

An internal memo addressed to employees of the AI firm OpenAI said that the company “categorically disagrees” with the lawsuit filed against the company by Elon Musk. Musk, a former cofounder of OpenAI who is no longer part of the organization, lodged a lawsuit against OpenAI and its Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman, claiming that the company’s affiliation with Microsoft Corp. has compromised its initial objective of developing open-source technology independent of corporate influences.

Elon Musk Regrets Leaving OpenAI?

According to a memo obtained by Bloomberg News, OpenAI Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon challenged Elon Musk’s suggestion that the startup is essentially a subsidiary of investor Microsoft. Kwon noted that Musk’s claims “may stem from Elon’s regrets about not being involved with the company today.”

In the memo, Kwon reiterated that OpenAI’s mission is centered on ensuring that Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) benefits all of humanity. AGI refers to theoretical software capable of outperforming humans across various tasks. Additionally, Kwon emphasized that OpenAI operates independently and directly competes with Microsoft.

In a distinct memo also reviewed by Bloomberg, Sam Altman described Elon Musk as a personal hero. He further expressed a sense of nostalgia for the individual he once knew—the one who thrived on competition through technological innovation.

Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI cites breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and allegations of unfair business practices, among other complaints. Thus, he is pursuing legal action in his capacity as a former donor to OpenAI’s nonprofit parent organization up to 2019. Musk also aims to compel OpenAI to cease the perceived advantages accruing to Microsoft and Altman personally.

Inquiries from Government

OpenAI’s Chief Strategy Officer also informed employees about “inquiries from government agencies,” likely referring to an investigation initiated by the Securities and Exchange Commission following the temporary removal of Altman by the company’s board toward the end of last year.

Although Kwon didn’t explicitly name the agency, he noted that “after the events of last November, they requested information from us, which aligns with our expectations given the circumstances.” Kwon reassured that the company is actively cooperating with the government.

Artificial intelligence companies are encountering heightened scrutiny from prominent figures in the technology and media sectors as emerging technologies raise concerns about chatbots potentially rivaling human intelligence.

Allegations directed at AI firms, such as OpenAI, often include accusations of copyright infringement and unauthorized appropriation of online media content. Should plaintiffs prevail, AI companies might need to compensate for the use of specific materials to train their programs.