Elon Musk Seeks to Prevent OpenAI from Converting to For-Profit Venture

Court Injunction Seeks to Block OpenAI from Barring Investors from Competing Companies

Elon Musk and his AI startup, xAI, have filed a court injunction to prevent ChatGPT-maker OpenAI from converting into a for-profit enterprise. The filing, made on Friday, also requests that OpenAI be stopped from allegedly banning its investors from funding rival companies.

Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015, with the goal of making artificial intelligence (AI) available to all. However, in 2018, he left the company amid concerns over its direction towards a profit-driven model.

OpenAI’s Current Status and Funding

Under the leadership of CEO Sam Altman, OpenAI has transitioned from a non-profit to a “capped” for-profit enterprise. The company has seen significant growth and visibility in recent years, propelled by its development of revolutionary AI technologies such as ChatGPT.

OpenAI’s Goals and Funding Structure

OpenAI currently seeks to become a for-profit public benefit corporation. This new structure would attract more investment and allow it to expand its research capabilities.

Musk’s Concerns and Claim of Sour Grapes

Musk and xAI argue that OpenAI’s shift towards for-profit status is a deviation from its original mission, which was to make AI research available to all.

OpenAI’s Response to Musk’s Claims

OpenAI has countered by saying that Musk’s criticisms are motivated by sour grapes after leaving the company, and that his lawsuit aimed at blocking the conversion of OpenAI to a public benefit corporation is an abuse of the legal system.