Elon Musk Calls Out OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Declaring Him the ‘Swindler of the Century’!

Elon Musk, the tech billionaire known for founding Tesla and SpaceX, has taken aim at his former colleague Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, accusing him of betraying the original mission of the AI research lab.

The controversy erupted after reports emerged that OpenAI, originally set up as a non-profit, is considering a move toward for-profit operations, which could enrich Altman.

Musk’s comments on X (formerly Twitter) have sparked a heated debate about the ethics of prioritizing profit over AI safety and the future of AI development.

Sam Altman is Little Finger https://t.co/3esBWapV1x

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 26, 2024

The root of the dispute lies in reports that OpenAI is weighing a transition to a for-profit model, a significant shift from its initial non-profit mission.

Reuters recently reported that the company is working on plans to convert into a for-profit benefit corporation while keeping a minority stake for its non-profit board.

Sam Altman looks like he’s super insecure and constantly seeking approval while alienating his closest allies.

— Naomi Seibt (@SeibtNaomi) September 26, 2024

This move could bring about massive financial gains, with Bloomberg suggesting Altman could receive a 7% stake, potentially increasing his net worth by $10 billion.

Altman’s possible financial gains have drawn criticism from Musk and other observers who question whether OpenAI’s mission is being compromised for commercial interests.

You can’t just convert a non-profit into a for-profit. That is illegal. https://t.co/kJkHyudT8K

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 26, 2024

His sharp criticism did not stop there, as he labeled Altman as the “swindler of the century” and compared him to Littlefinger, a manipulative character from Game of Thrones.

Musk’s attacks reflect broader concerns about the direction of AI development, where profit motives might overshadow ethical considerations and safety measures.

Adding fuel to the fire, OpenAI has been facing internal upheaval. Its Chief Technology Officer, Mira Murati, abruptly resigned, and President Greg Brockman has been on leave.

At this point we need a federal investigation of Sam and what exactly is going on at OpenAI.

All indications are that he’s very much not what he appears to be and he’s being allowed to play with power a person like him has no business breathing near.

— Ian Carroll (@Cancelcloco) September 26, 2024

Earlier this year, co-founder Ilya Sutskever, a top scientist at the organization, also left, though he later returned after a brief rebellion against Altman’s leadership.

These developments have only intensified the scrutiny surrounding the company’s direction, raising questions about stability and leadership within the AI powerhouse.

Despite Musk’s claims, OpenAI insists that the non-profit arm will continue to exist and play a crucial role in guiding its mission. However, the organization’s assurances have done little to quell the controversy surrounding its new corporate strategy.

Musk’s frustration with OpenAI extends beyond public criticism. Last month, he revived a lawsuit against the company, alleging that it has breached its founding principles by prioritizing commercial interests over its non-profit origins.

That seems unfair seeing as you personally have converted a number of for-profits into non-profits

— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) September 26, 2024

Musk, who was one of OpenAI’s largest early donors, has made it clear that he envisioned the organization as a transparent, open-source project focused on public good rather than financial gain.

His legal actions underscore his belief that OpenAI’s current trajectory departs from its intended purpose.

Either that, or it’s a brilliant new tax avoidance strategy

— Whole Mars Catalog (@WholeMarsBlog) September 26, 2024

The shift toward for-profit AI development has raised alarm among critics. Many fear that this model could encourage companies to prioritize profits over safety, potentially leading to dangerous outcomes.

Geoffrey Hinton, a leading AI expert often referred to as the “Godfather of AI,” recently voiced concerns about the rapid advancements in AI, particularly with models like OpenAI’s GPT-4.

Hinton quit Google last year, citing fears over the existential risks posed by future AI systems.

The world’s richest man has taken possession of a global social media platform used by the world’s journalists, scientists, governments, private citizens, businesses, religions, militaries and health/emergency services to share all vital information—It’s going as you might expect

— Luke Zaleski (@ZaleskiLuke) September 26, 2024

As the debate rages on, it’s clear that the future of artificial intelligence remains uncertain, with its development entangled in both ethical concerns and corporate interests.

The ongoing saga between Musk and Altman reflects personal animosities and highlights broader tensions in the tech industry over the balance between innovation, ethics, and profit.

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