Musk criticizes Microsoft-backed OpenAI for “training the AI to lie”
Elon Musk stated on Monday his intention to develop an AI platform named “TruthGPT” to compete with Microsoft and Google’s current offerings. Musk criticised Microsoft-backed OpenAI for “training the AI to lie” in an interview with Fox News Channel’s Tucker Carlson, and accused Google co-founder Larry Page of failing to take AI safety seriously. Musk intends to build an AI that seeks the most truth and comprehends the nature of the cosmos, believing that this is the greatest way to safety. Musk, OpenAI, and Page have yet to respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
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Musk poaches AI researchers from Google to launch rival startup
Despite his criticism of OpenAI, Musk has been reportedly poaching AI researchers from Google to start a new company that rivals OpenAI. Recently, he registered a company called X.AI Corp in Nevada, where he is listed as the only director and Jared Birchall, managing director of Musk’s family office, is listed as the secretary. This move comes despite Musk and a group of AI specialists calling for a six-month moratorium on constructing systems more powerful than OpenAI’s recently debuted GPT-4, citing potential societal hazards.
Musk warns of the potential for “civilizational destruction” from AI
During the interview with Carlson, Musk reiterated his warning about the dangers of AI, saying it has the potential for “civilizational destruction.” He gave an example of how a super-intelligent AI could write incredibly well and potentially manipulate public opinion. Musk also tweeted over the weekend that he had met with former U.S. President Barack Obama and told him that Washington needed to “encourage AI regulation.”
Musk believes “TruthGPT” can provide a safer path to AI development
Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but stepped down from the company’s board in 2018. In 2019, he tweeted that he left OpenAI because he had to focus on Tesla and SpaceX, but also because Tesla was competing for some of the same people as OpenAI and he didn’t agree with some of what OpenAI’s team wanted to do. Despite his departure from OpenAI, Musk remains a powerful player in the AI sector, and his critique of current AI offerings has generated new discussions about AI safety and regulation.