Elon Musk, who was one of the founding members and initial investor in OpenAI, has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman for moving from the company’s original goal of developing artificial intelligence “for the benefit of humanity broadly.”

The lawsuit, filed in a San Francisco court, contends that OpenAI, which is backed by Microsoft, has strayed from its nonprofit roots and is now operating as a de facto subsidiary of the tech giant.

Current scenario

The case argues that OpenAI’s current trajectory, particularly under a new board, involves refining AGI specifically to enhance Microsoft’s financial interests. Musk claims that this contradicts OpenAI’s professed dedication to ensuring AGI benefits humanity at large. The lawsuit’s central aim is to compel OpenAI to return to its founding agreement and refocus on the development of AGI for the broader benefit of humanity, rather than serving the individual interests of the defendants and Microsoft.

The legal action coincides with European Union antitrust regulators investigating Microsoft’s reported US$ 13 billion investment in OpenAI. This scrutiny adds a layer of complexity to the legal dispute and places the partnership between Microsoft and OpenAI under increased attention.

This legal confrontation sheds light on the challenges and controversies surrounding the evolving missions and objectives of influential AI organizations and their leaders. It marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing discourse about the ethical and societal implications of AI development, especially when backed by major corporations with significant financial interests.