Elon Musk has reportedly suggested that control of OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company behind ChatGPT, should pass to his children after he dies, according to Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI. During a trial in Oakland, California, Altman revealed how Musk attempted to gain more control over the company, suggesting it become a subsidiary of Tesla and even hinting that it might eventually be handed down to his offspring.
Musk's ambitions for OpenAI were driven by the desire to 'get more money faster,' according to Altman. This included discussions about restructuring the non-profit into a traditional for-profit entity, with Musk himself in charge due to his prominence as a business leader who could secure funding with just a tweet. However, Altman and other co-founders rejected these ideas, believing they would undermine OpenAI’s mission of advancing artificial general intelligence (AGI).
The trial also highlighted the complex relationship between Altman and Musk, who founded OpenAI in 2015. While Musk initially backed the company's efforts, his interest waned over time, culminating in him ceasing his $5 million quarterly donations to the charity in early 2018. In a particularly telling moment, Musk expressed doubt about OpenAI’s chances of success without his involvement, writing an email that Altman describes as 'burned into my memory.'
Despite the numerous attempts by Musk to gain control or influence over OpenAI, he ultimately stepped away from the company in 2018. In a bid to secure funding for the company’s transition to a for-profit entity in 2019, Altman offered Musk an investment opportunity. However, Musk declined, stating that he would not invest in any companies he did not control.
The allegations and counter-allegations now before the jury raise significant questions about corporate governance and the ethics of AI development. As we navigate this complex landscape, one wonders if Elon’s vision for his legacy extends to a personal inheritance of OpenAI—or whether responsibility for AGI should lie with no single individual.
