Sam Altman Expresses Disappointment in Elon Musk’s Lack of Empathy for OpenAI’s Ambitions

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, expressed his surprise at Elon Musk's apparent lack of empathy for the AI company's ambitious goals. Altman believed that Musk, as a visionary known for his grand ideas like launching rockets with SpaceX, would have understood and supported OpenAI's aspirations.

Background of the Situation

Altman reflected on how not too long ago, people ridiculed Musk for his space exploration endeavors. He expected Musk to relate to OpenAI's journey, considering his own experiences with facing skepticism and doubt.

Musk's Lawsuit and Response

However, Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the organization of deviating from its nonprofit mission by partnering with Microsoft. Altman revealed that Musk had previously contemplated transforming OpenAI into a for-profit entity under his control before stepping down from the board in 2018.

Unexpected Behavior and Reactions

Altman found Musk's legal actions and public statements perplexing. Musk even went as far as suggesting that OpenAI change its name to "ClosedAI" to resolve the dispute. This move was seen as an extreme measure by Altman and others in the industry.

Industry Reactions

Vinod Khosla, an early supporter of OpenAI, criticized Musk's approach, describing the lawsuit as a sign of resentment. Khosla emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation, implying that Musk's current stance contradicted his previous collaborative spirit.

Emotional Impact and Disappointment

Altman expressed his disappointment in Musk's behavior, stating that it was uncharacteristic of a visionary and builder like Musk. He acknowledged Musk's past contributions but lamented the current turn of events, noting that many people admired Musk for his innovative spirit.

Despite attempts to reach out for comment, representatives from both OpenAI and Musk's side remained silent on the matter when contacted by Business Insider.

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By: ktan@businessinsider.com (Kwan Wei Kevin Tan)
Title: Sam Altman Expresses Disappointment in Elon Musk’s Lack of Empathy for OpenAI’s Ambitions
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-thought-elon-musk-have-more-empathy-for-openai-2024-3
Published Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2024 04:09:59 +0000