Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has once again raised concerns about the legality of OpenAI’s shift to a for-profit model. This comes after reports surfaced suggesting potential investments from tech giants like Apple and Nvidia, valuing OpenAI at over $100 billion.
Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 before leaving in 2018, took to social media to express his concerns. In response to a user questioning the legality of the move, Musk stated, “Either turning a non-profit into a for-profit is legal and everyone should be doing it or it’s illegal and OpenAI is a house of cards.”
This isn’t the first time Musk has voiced his disapproval of OpenAI’s direction. Back in August, he initiated a legal battle against the company, accusing it and its co-founders of prioritizing commercial gains over their initial mission of benefiting humanity. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has defended the company’s decisions, stating that the evolution of technology necessitated certain changes that may appear questionable in retrospect.
The latest developments come as Microsoft, which has already invested up to $13 billion in OpenAI, reportedly intends to pour more money into the company.
The legal implications of OpenAI’s transition and the potential conflicts of interest arising from its for-profit structure remain a subject of debate. As the company continues to evolve, the question of its long-term impact and ethical considerations will continue to be a topic of discussion in the tech world.
