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Marc Piasecki; Justin Sullivan/ Getty Images
- Elon Musk has updated his lawsuit against OpenAI and Sam Altman, now including Microsoft as a defendant.
- The lawsuit features emails from 2015 between Musk and Altman discussing the inception of OpenAI.
- Musk claims that OpenAI and Microsoft have effectively merged, engaging in anticompetitive behavior within the AI industry.
Background of the Lawsuit
This week, Elon Musk presented several emails exchanged with billionaire Sam Altman as part of his ongoing legal battle against both him and OpenAI. These communications reveal the informal origins of what is now a $157 billion enterprise.
On Thursday, Musk modified his legal complaint to include Microsoft as an additional party, alleging that both companies have formed an “effective merger,” which he argues constitutes anticompetitive practices in artificial intelligence development.
A representative for OpenAI did not provide immediate feedback regarding this matter when approached by Business Insider.
The Genesis of OpenAI
Musk was one of the co-founders of OpenAI back in 2015 but has since been vocal about his criticisms towards its direction and leadership. He officially departed from the organization’s board in 2018.
In this latest court filing, Musk detailed how discussions around founding OpenAI began. The initial correspondence from Altman to Musk included proposals for collaboration on AI initiatives back in 2015. According to Musk’s legal team, these early messages were attempts by Altman to gauge interest from Tesla’s CEO regarding potential funding opportunities for their project.
Email Exchanges Highlighting Initial Discussions
In March 2015, both tech innovators drafted an open letter directed at U.S. lawmakers emphasizing the necessity for regulatory measures concerning safe AI development. Following this initiative, it is alleged that Altman recognized a significant opportunity:
I’ve been contemplating whether it’s feasible to prevent humanity from advancing AI technology…
If it’s inevitable anyway, perhaps it would be beneficial if someone other than Google led this charge first…
I propose we consider establishing a Manhattan Project-style initiative focused on AI…
Musk replied positively:
This seems worth discussing further…
A Detailed Proposal Emerges
A month later, following up on what he perceived as a noncommittal response from Musk, Altman sent over a comprehensive proposal outlining plans for creating an innovative AI lab:
- The primary goal would be developing general artificial intelligence aimed at empowering individuals while prioritizing safety above all else.
- An initial team comprising approximately seven to ten members would be ideal; we could utilize additional space available in Mountain View for operations.
…
The Departure From OpenAI’s Board
Musk agreed with all aspects outlined by Altman’s proposal leading to the establishment of OpenAI itself. However, after stepping down from its board three years later due to disagreements over strategic direction—reportedly wanting more control over operations—Musk withdrew financial support when his vision was not aligned with that of other leaders within the organization.
Lawsuits Over Alleged Deception and Antitrust Concerns
Musk initially filed suit against both co-founders earlier this year claiming they had deviated significantly from their original nonprofit mission through partnerships with major corporations like Microsoft—which has invested upwards of $13 billion into them thus far.
OpenAI characterized these allegations as “incoherent” but after dropping one case only months later filed another accusing executives at startup level who allegedly misled him into joining based upon fears surrounding existential threats posed by advanced technologies.
