Elon Musk files a lawsuit against OpenAI and its co-founders, including CEO Sam Altman. In his legal complaint, the tech billionaire claims that the AI firm breached a contract after it partnered with Microsoft.
In 2015, Elon Musk was an early backer and a co-founder of OpenAI. He said that he helped establish the artificial intelligence company since OpenAI President Greg Brockman and Sam Altman promised him that it would remain a non-profit organization.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and X, speaks to reporters as he leaves the “AI Insight Forum” at the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on September 13, 2023, in Washington, DC.
Musk said that the founding agreement between him and other co-founders required OpenAI to make its technology free to the public. However, this didn't happen since it established a holding company that allowed it to acquire money from investors.
Elon Musk Vs. Sam Altman: Tesla Boss Accuses OpenAI of Breaching Contract
Elon Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its co-founders in the California state court on Thursday, Feb. 29.
The billionaire Sam Altman and other officials breached OpenAI's founding charter by agreeing to the $13 billion partnership with Microsoft.
Because of this, Elon Musk is asking for a jury trial. Aside from this, the Tesla boss also wants the company and Sam Altman and Greg Brockman to pay back the profit they received from the AI business.
"In reality, however, OpenAI, Inc. has been transformed into a closed-source de facto subsidiary of the largest technology company in the world: Microsoft," explained the lawsuit.
"Under its new board, it is not just developing but is actually refining an AGI to maximize profits for Microsoft, rather than for the benefit of humanity," added Elon Musk's legal team.
Other Details About Elon Musk's Lawsuit
This photo illustration shows the ChatGPT logo at an office in Washington, DC, on March 15, 2023. The company behind the ChatGPT app that churns out essays, poems, or computing code on command was released on March 14, 2023.
Elon Musk's lawsuit also mentioned the issue of Sam Altman getting fired by the Board members. The legal complaint said that the public still doesn't know what the OpenAI Board's deliberative review process showed that led to Altman's termination.
Despite the lack of transparency, the lawsuit stated that one thing is clear: OpenAI is now pursuing profit after abandoning its non-profit mission.
The lawsuit didn't include Microsoft among the defendants. However, Musk's legal team still mentioned the software giant over 60 times in the complaint.
Elon's lawsuit repeatedly mentioned Microsoft's influence over OpenAI and its economic position. Recently, the billionaire already warned Microsoft that he was planning to sue it.
As of writing, it is still unclear if Elon Musk will adjust its lawsuit to include Microsoft. Meanwhile, OpenAI hasn't commented regarding the legal complaint.
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