Current:Home > ScamsElon Musk sues OpenAI and Sam Altman, claiming "stark betrayal" of the AI company's mission -Streamline Finance
Elon Musk sues OpenAI and Sam Altman, claiming "stark betrayal" of the AI company's mission
View
Date:2025-04-13 00:54:35
Elon Musk is suing OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, with the Tesla founder alleging they violated the artificial intelligence company's original mission statement by putting profits over benefiting humanity.
The lawsuit, filed Thursday in San Francisco, comes amid a larger debate over the potential impact of AI, such as that it could produce misleading or harmful information. In the lawsuit, Musk alleges breach of contract and fiduciary duty, among other claims, against OpenAI, Altman and OpenAI President Greg Brockman.
Musk, who helped found OpenAI in 2015, cites the lab's founding agreement that the company would use its technology to benefit the public and that it would open its technology for public use. Yet OpenAI has veered away from that mission with its latest AI model, GPT-4, which it hasn't released to the public, the suit alleges.
At the same time, OpenAI has formed commercial ties with Microsoft, which has invested billions in the AI company. Microsoft has integrated OpenAI's GPT-4 tech into its software programs and developed an AI app called Copilot that's geared to helping consumers automate various tasks.
The relationship between Microsoft and OpenAI represents "a stark betrayal of the founding agreement," Musk suit claims.
"Mr. Altman caused OpenAI to radically depart from its original mission and historical practice of making its technology and knowledge available to the public. GPT-4's internal design was kept and remains a complete secret except to OpenAI — and, on information and belief, Microsoft," the complaint alleges. "There are no scientific publications describing the design of GPT-4. Instead, there are just press releases bragging about performance."
Instead of helping humanity, OpenAI's tech is now primarily serving Microsoft's commercial interests, the lawsuit claims. GPT-4 "is now a de facto Microsoft proprietary algorithm," it alleges.
OpenAI and Microsoft didn't immediately return requests for comment.
Musk is asking the court to order OpenAI to make its AI models open to the public, and to prohibit it from using its technology to benefit its executives, Microsoft or any other person or company. He also is asking the court to force OpenAI, Altman and Brockman to repay all the money they received from their dealings with Microsoft.
Musk has more direct interests in the future of artificial intelligence. In 2023 he formed xAI, which recruited researchers from OpenAI and other top tech firms to develop an AI tool called Grok that the startup said wil aim to "maximally benefit all of humanity."
- In:
- Lawsuit
- Microsoft
- Elon Musk
- OpenAI
Aimee Picchi is the associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and personal finance. She previously worked at Bloomberg News and has written for national news outlets including USA Today and Consumer Reports.
TwitterveryGood! (9)
Related
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Kaley Cuoco Celebrates Baby Girl Matilda's First Thanksgiving
- Palestinian militants kill 2 alleged informers for Israel and mob drags bodies through camp alleys
- Rosalynn Carter tributes will highlight her reach as first lady, humanitarian and small-town Baptist
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Rosalynn Carter tributes will highlight her reach as first lady, humanitarian and small-town Baptist
- Jordan’s top diplomat wants to align Europeans behind a call for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza
- Taylor Swift's surprise songs in São Paulo. Which songs does she have left for Eras tour?
- Police remove gator from pool in North Carolina town: Watch video of 'arrest'
- Republicans want to pair border security with aid for Ukraine. Here’s why that makes a deal so tough
Ranking
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Secrets You Never Knew About Britney Spears' ...Baby One More Time
- Man pleads to 3rd-degree murder, gets 24 to 40 years in 2016 slaying of 81-year-old store owner
- Republicans want to pair border security with aid for Ukraine. Here’s why that makes a deal so tough
- Connie Chiume, Black Panther Actress, Dead at 72: Lupita Nyong'o and More Pay Tribute
- Digging to rescue 41 workers trapped in a collapsed tunnel in India halted after machine breaks
- Afraid of overspending on holiday gifts? Set a budget. We'll show you how.
- Fragile truce in Gaza is back on track after hourslong delay in a second hostage-for-prisoner swap
Recommendation
NCAA hands former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh a 4-year show cause order for recruiting violations
How intergenerational friendships can prove enriching
Inside the actors' union tentative strike agreement: Pay, AI, intimacy coordinators, more
Missing dog rescued by hikers in Colorado mountains reunited with owner after 2 months
Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
Baltimore man wins $1 million from Florida Lottery scratch-off ticket
Mega Millions winning numbers for Black Friday drawing; Jackpot at $305 million
Artist Zeng Fanzhi depicts ‘zero-COVID’ after a lifetime of service to the Chinese state