Geoffrey Hinton Supports Elon Musk's Legal Efforts Against OpenAI's For-Profit Shift

Geoffrey Hinton, a leading figure in artificial intelligence often referred to as the "Godfather of artificial intelligence," is lending his support to Elon Musk as he tries to prevent OpenAI from transitioning to a for-profit structure. Hinton's advocacy comes after he was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in physics in October for his significant contributions to the field.

Hinton is renowned for his pioneering work on artificial neural networks, which form the basis of modern AI technologies. In a statement released by Encode, a youth-led organization advocating for human-centered AI, Hinton emphasized the importance of OpenAI remaining true to its original mission. He pointed out that OpenAI was founded as a non-profit organization focused on safety and had made various commitments regarding safety in its charter.

The Founding of OpenAI

OpenAI was established in 2015 by notable figures including Musk and its current CEO, Sam Altman, intending to prioritize the safety and ethical implications of artificial intelligence research. However, in 2019, OpenAI adopted a capped-profit model, shifting slightly toward startup operations while still being controlled by the non-profit organization.

Recently, OpenAI expressed its desire to adopt a more traditional profit-driven business model, asserting that this change would help them raise necessary funds under standard conditions similar to other businesses in the industry. In a blog post last week, OpenAI stated the restructured approach was necessary for growth.

The Legal Challenge

In response to these changes, Musk, who distanced himself from OpenAI in 2018, is actively pursuing legal action to halt the company's shift towards profitability. Encode has publicly aligned itself with Musk's lawsuit by submitting an amicus brief that underscores the potential dangers of OpenAI's restructuring. Their stance is that such a move would fundamentally conflict with OpenAI’s commitment to public safety.

This restructuring is viewed by the group as a potential loss of vital governance measures that help the current non-profit structure maintain its dedication to safety above profits.

Concerns Over Safety

Hinton previously worked at Google for over ten years and has openly voiced concerns regarding OpenAI's approach to safety. During a press conference in October, he expressed disappointment over Altman’s priorities, indicating that the CEO seemed more focused on financial gain than ensuring the safety of AI technologies.

Reflecting on his role in AI development, Hinton expressed regret about the potential dangers the technology poses to humanity. He highlighted these concerns recently in an interview with The New York Times, stressing the need for ethical considerations in the AI landscape.

Musk's Accusations and Current Developments

Simultaneously, Elon Musk claims that OpenAI executives misled him into co-founding the organization by focusing on the risks associated with artificial intelligence. Musk alleges that discussions from as early as 2017 indicated his support for a for-profit model, contrary to current claims by OpenAI.

Earlier this year, Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming the firm violated its nonprofit commitments by collaborating closely with Microsoft. Although he initially withdrew the suit, he later reinstated it. To further his goals, Musk has founded his own startup, xAI, structured as a public benefit corporation, which aligns with the model that OpenAI now seeks to implement.

AI, Legal, OpenAI