Elon Musk was a co-founder of OpenAI in 2015 as a not-for-profit research company, aiming to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI) safely and beneficially for humanity. He pledged significant initial funding to the organization, making a tangible commitment to its original mission.
However, Musk left the OpenAI board in 2018, marking a significant divergence in his relationship with the company. Since then, his public stance has become increasingly critical, particularly as OpenAI achieved major advances in machine learning and shifted its operational structure.
This growing discontent with the organization's direction directly motivated Musk to found his rival company, xAI, in 2023. xAI is explicitly positioned to compete with existing generative AI offerings like OpenAI's ChatGPT, indicating his belief that the original vision is no longer being upheld.
Context
Musk's involvement with OpenAI is central to understanding his current views on artificial intelligence governance. He initially viewed the rapid progress in AGI as a potential existential risk to humanity, which informed OpenAI's founding principle of ensuring AI development was safe and open.
His departure and subsequent creation of xAI suggest a firm belief that OpenAI has either failed to adhere to its non-profit/open-source charter or has moved in a direction he now actively opposes, forcing him to create a new entity to pursue his preferred model for AGI development.
Timeline
- Elon Musk co-founded OpenAI as a not-for-profit AI research company.
- Musk pledged $1 billion in funding and initially contributed $50 million to the company.
- Musk left the OpenAI board of directors.
- Musk launched xAI, a competing generative AI company, citing dissatisfaction with OpenAI's direction.
Actions Taken
- FoundingCo-founded OpenAI as a non-profit research lab to pursue safe artificial general intelligence.
- FundingPledged $1 billion in funding to OpenAI and initially provided $50 million.
- DepartureLeft the OpenAI board of directors.
- Business VentureLaunched xAI, an artificial intelligence company intended to compete with OpenAI's generative AI offerings.
Criticism
He has expressed growing discontent with the organization's direction, contrasting it with the initial non-profit, open-source goals.
Sources3
Musk Foundation Donated to OpenAI
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.