The legal battle between OpenAI and Elon Musk has lasted for months, with the core dispute centering on whether OpenAI has deviated from its original non-profit mission of making AI research benefits available to everyone. Last month, Musk filed for an injunction in court, attempting to prevent OpenAI from transitioning from a non-profit organization to a for-profit company. In response, OpenAI published a lengthy article on its official website and released emails exchanged with Musk from 2015 to 2023 to address his accusations.
OpenAI Accuses Musk of "Jealousy," Revealing the Past "Power Struggle"
OpenAI stated in its announcement that Musk's accusations are baseless and entirely stem from "jealousy." They pointed out that Musk not only suggested converting OpenAI into a for-profit organization but also personally registered a public benefit corporation called "Open Artificial Intelligence Technologies, Inc." in 2017 as a new structure for OpenAI. However, when he failed to obtain majority ownership and complete control, he chose to leave. Today, OpenAI has become a leading global AI research lab, while Musk not only runs a competing AI company but also attempts to hinder OpenAI from fulfilling its mission through legal means.
OpenAI believes that relying on lawsuits will not achieve AGI, and they express great respect for Musk, appreciating his early contributions, but also feel he should compete with them in the market rather than in court.
OpenAI Releases Historical Emails to Clarify the "Origin of the Dispute"
To prove its innocence, OpenAI published key emails exchanged with Musk in its statement and organized a timeline:
November 2015: OpenAI was established as a non-profit organization, but Musk questioned whether this organizational structure was the best choice and suggested establishing a standard C corporation (for-profit company).
Early 2017: OpenAI realized that building AGI would require tens of billions of dollars in computing resources.
Summer 2017: OpenAI and Musk agreed that transitioning to a for-profit organization was the next step to advance their mission.
Fall 2017: Musk demanded majority ownership of the for-profit entity, absolute control, and the position of CEO.
September 2017: Musk created a public benefit corporation named "Open Artificial Intelligence Technologies, Inc."
September 2017: OpenAI rejected Musk's conditions, believing that granting him unilateral control over OpenAI and its technology would violate their mission.
January 2018: Musk stated that OpenAI would inevitably fail unless it merged with Tesla.
February 2018: Musk resigned as co-chair of OpenAI.
December 2018: Musk told OpenAI that it must raise tens of billions of dollars annually immediately or give up.
March 2019: OpenAI announced the establishment of a "capped-profit" OpenAI LP under the non-profit organization framework.
March 2023: Musk founded xAI, a competitor to OpenAI.
OpenAI pointed out in its statement that Musk's latest lawsuit against OpenAI is his fourth attempt to restate his claims within a year. They noted that in 2017, Musk not only proposed but also actually created a for-profit organization as a new structure for OpenAI. When he did not gain majority ownership and complete control, he chose to leave and asserted that OpenAI would fail.
OpenAI Emphasizes Its Mission and Calls for Fair Competition
OpenAI emphasized in its statement that their mission is to ensure AGI benefits all of humanity, and they have always been and will forever be an organization committed to this mission. They hope Musk can embrace this goal while continuing to promote the innovative spirit and free market competition that once helped him succeed.
OpenAI's statement has made the conflict between the two parties public, allowing the outside world to understand the deeper "power struggle" behind this legal battle. Has OpenAI deviated from its original mission? Are Musk's accusations valid? When will this "grudge" come to an end? These questions remain to be answered over time.
