Since OpenAI launched ChatGPT last year, Elon Musk has emerged as one of its vocal opponents, often accusing the AI-powered chatbot and the company behind it of not developing the technology responsibly.
However, a new report has put the tech billionaire at the center of a thought-provoking paradox: Is he a visionary savior of humanity or a self-appointed AI messiah?
What Happened: Musk has long received major flak for signing an “open letter” asking to pause AI trials “more powerful” than OpenAI’s GPT-4 even though he was simultaneously working on building TruthGPT.
This included the likes of Musk’s fellow “PayPal Mafia” Reid Hoffman, who in May earlier highlighted the hypocrisy in the tech billionaire’s actions and statements, saying, “And Elon — while signing that letter — is trying to hire a whole team and stand up an AI effort.”
A newly published report in The New Yorker, which includes multiple sources and includes quotes from Hoffman and OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman, has once again raised some concerns regarding Musk’s involvement in the AI realm.
The report cited Hoffman describing Musk’s approach to AI in a resounding statement: “AI can only be saved if I deliver, if I build it.”
However, Hoffman asserted that as AI evolves, mirroring human characteristics and capabilities, the values and objectives upheld by the leaders in the domain will carry significant weight.
“We want the construction of this to be not people with Messiah complexes.”
The LinkedIn co-founder’s comments delve into Musk’s most recent endeavor, xAI, which came to the fore during the same time when Musk was publicly advocating for a temporary pause in AI developments. Alas! Musk was not merely endorsing restraint, he was actively working on building xAI.
His efforts included recruiting talent from major competitors like OpenAI and, intriguingly, reaching out to leaders at Nvidia, the preeminent producer of AI-related chips.
The report also cited Altman saying, “Elon desperately wants the world to be saved. But only if he can be the one to save it.”
Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015, along with Altman and others. However, his dual roles at Tesla and ChatGPT-parent led to conflicts of interest, and frustration with his lack of control over the organization eventually led him to attempt a takeover.
Despite his contributions, which Musk estimated at fifty to a hundred million dollars, he severed ties with OpenAI in 2018, leaving the company in a precarious financial situation.
Nevertheless, it also marked a turning point for OpenAI. Freed from the Tesla CEO’s influence, the organization became a leading force in the AI field, introducing ChatGPT to the world.
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