OpenAI shares Elon Musk emails urging startup to raise $1 billion, see Tesla as a cash cow in its early years

Technology
Wednesday, March 6th, 2024 3:40 pm EDT

Key Points

  • OpenAI responded to Elon Musk’s lawsuit by reproducing old emails where Musk encouraged the startup to raise significant funding and become less open over time, contradicting his recent allegations.
  • Musk accused OpenAI of keeping the inner workings of its GPT-4 AI model secret for commercial purposes, but OpenAI intends to dismiss his claims.
  • Musk’s past emails showed him advocating for substantial fundraising for OpenAI and seeking to become its CEO, highlighting a shift in perspective from his recent criticism of the company’s transformation into a for-profit corporation.

OpenAI responded to a lawsuit filed by co-founder Elon Musk, revealing old emails in which Musk advocated for the startup to raise significant funding and become less open over time, contrary to his recent allegations of breach of contract and unfair competition. Musk’s lawsuit claimed that OpenAI’s GPT-4 AI model is secretive for commercial gain rather than safety, but OpenAI intends to dismiss his claims. Musk had criticized OpenAI’s transformation from an open-source foundation to a closed-source corporation, yet earlier emails showed him encouraging substantial fundraising for the company. Before leaving OpenAI, Musk sought majority equity and CEO position, and his company xAI competes with OpenAI. Musk also suggested OpenAI rely on Tesla’s finances, despite Tesla’s losses in 2017. The legal dispute reflects tensions between Musk and OpenAI, amidst the company’s growth and internal challenges.

For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/06/openai-shares-elon-musk-emails-urging-startup-to-raise-1-billion-see-tesla-as-a-cash-cow.html