OpenAI says Elon Musk wanted ‘absolute control’ of the company

The relationship between OpenAI, a non-profit research company focused on responsible artificial intelligence (AI) development, and Elon Musk, the tech billionaire who co-founded the organization, has come under scrutiny. At the heart of the issue lies a fundamental difference in their visions for the future of AI.

OpenAI has replied to Elon Musk's lawsuit, asserting that he once sought "absolute control" of the company by proposing its merger with Tesla. In a blog post released on Tuesday, OpenAI stated its intention to dismiss "all of Elon's claims" and presented its own perspective on his allegations of the company deviating from its nonprofit mission.

OpenAI's Mission: Established in 2015, OpenAI prioritizes open access and responsible development of AI, striving to ensure that this powerful technology benefits all of humanity. They believe in transparent research and collaboration to mitigate potential risks associated with advanced AI.

Where the Paths Diverged: As OpenAI explored the possibility of transitioning to a for-profit structure to secure funding for its research, disagreements arose with Elon Musk. Reportedly, Musk advocated for a significant degree of control over the organization, including:

• Majority ownership of OpenAI.
• Appointing the initial board of directors.
• Taking the CEO position.

Conflicting Ideals: OpenAI expressed concerns that granting such control to one individual would contradict their core values of responsible and unbiased AI development. They felt that concentrating significant power in the hands of a single person could potentially compromise their mission and the ethical implications of their research.

Separate Paths: Unable to reach an agreement, Elon Musk ultimately left OpenAI in 2018. While the organization continues its work under its established principles, the episode highlights the complex challenges surrounding the development and governance of powerful AI technologies, raising crucial questions about the balance between innovation, profit, and ethical considerations.