In response to the recent lawsuit filed by Elon Musk against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, the artificial intelligence startup has released an internal memo expressing its categorical disagreement with Musk’s claims. The lawsuit, filed by Musk, who is a co-founder of OpenAI but no longer involved in its operations, alleges that the company’s close ties with Microsoft have deviated from its original mission of creating open-source technology free from corporate influence.
OpenAI’s Chief Strategy Officer, Jason Kwon, addressed Musk’s assertions in the memo, stating that the disagreement may stem from Musk’s regrets about not being actively involved with the company today. Kwon pushed back against the notion that OpenAI is a “de facto subsidiary” of Microsoft, emphasizing the company’s independence and direct competition with Microsoft.
The memo also highlighted OpenAI’s core mission, which is to ensure that Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) benefits all of humanity. AGI refers to theoretical software capable of outperforming humans across a wide range of tasks. Kwon emphasized that OpenAI remains committed to this mission despite Musk’s claims.
In a separate memo, obtained by Bloomberg, Altman expressed admiration for Musk, calling him a hero. Altman mentioned missing the Musk he knew, who competed by building better technology. OpenAI declined to comment on the lawsuit or the internal memos.
Elon Musk’s lawsuit alleges breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and unfair business practices, among other grievances. Musk, acting as a donor to OpenAI’s nonprofit parent organization until 2019, seeks to halt OpenAI’s benefits to Microsoft and Altman personally.
The internal memo also addressed government inquiries, likely referring to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation initiated after Altman’s temporary ousting by the company’s board in late 2023. Kwon assured employees that the company is cooperating with the government in response to inquiries related to the events of last November.
As OpenAI faces legal challenges and internal scrutiny, the memos aim to reassure employees and stakeholders of the company’s commitment to its mission and independence in the evolving landscape of AI development.