Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has responded to Elon Musk’s accusations that the company values profit over safety, dismissing them as baseless.
Altman addressed Musk’s concerns during a recent event in Delhi, India, where he engaged with tech startups and policymakers, shedding light on the wider implications of AI. At the event, Altman was questioned about Musk’s contention that OpenAI, despite claiming to be a “non-profit” entity, has received significant investment from Microsoft. Rather than engaging in a feud, Altman opted for a more diplomatic approach, expressing his admiration for Musk while vehemently disagreeing with his viewpoint.
Altman expressed confidence in OpenAI’s endeavors, highlighting the positive impact he believes the company will make on the world.
Although Elon Musk co-founded OpenAI alongside Altman in 2015, he resigned from the board of directors in 2018. During his tenure, OpenAI was characterized as a nonprofit organization committed to developing AI for the betterment of humanity. However, Musk has consistently criticized the company, recently tweeting his belief that it has morphed into a profit-driven entity under Microsoft’s control, a far cry from his initial intentions.
Altman has previously challenged Musk’s assertions, even going so far as to label him a “jerk” during a podcast. Altman dismissed the majority of Musk’s claims as unfounded and suggested that Musk himself is aware of their lack of validity.
While Altman acknowledged Musk’s concerns about AI safety, he also emphasized the importance of recognizing OpenAI’s proactive efforts to address these concerns, as discussed in an episode of Lex Fridman’s podcast.
In March, Musk, alongside notable figures such as Steve Wozniak and Emad Mostaque, signed an open letter calling for a six-month halt to the development of AI surpassing OpenAI’s GPT-4. Their collective apprehension stemmed from the potential risks and hazards that advanced AI technology could pose to society.
Overall, the ongoing discourse between Altman and Musk highlights divergent perspectives within the AI community, underscoring the complex considerations surrounding the development and impact of cutting-edge technologies.