The ongoing feud between tech moguls Elon Musk and Sam Altman has intensified, spilling onto social media platform X. The two prominent figures in artificial intelligence are now publicly trading accusations regarding the safety of each other’s products, specifically OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Tesla’s Autopilot system. This heated exchange occurs amidst a significant legal battle between Musk and OpenAI over the company’s shift from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity.
Escalation on Social Media
Musk initiated the latest round of public sparring by posting a warning on X: “Don’t let your loved ones use ChatGPT.” This statement was in response to a claim that the AI chatbot had been linked to the deaths of nine individuals, including cases of suicide and murder among young adults and children.
Altman swiftly retorted, defending OpenAI’s efforts to protect users while simultaneously criticizing Tesla’s Autopilot. He stated, “It is genuinely hard; we need to protect vulnerable users, while also making sure our guardrails still allow all of our users to benefit from our tools.” Altman further elaborated on his concerns about Tesla’s technology, recalling a past experience where he found it “far from a safe thing for Tesla to have released.” He also alluded to decisions made by Musk’s AI venture, Grok.
Legal Battles and Safety Concerns
The public exchange highlights the serious safety concerns surrounding both companies’ products. OpenAI faces at least eight wrongful-death lawsuits alleging that ChatGPT’s use has contributed to worsening mental health conditions, leading to tragic outcomes.
Similarly, Tesla has been embroiled in multiple wrongful-death lawsuits concerning its self-driving technology. One notable case involved a 2019 crash in Florida that resulted in a fatality, where a jury found Tesla 33% liable and awarded $329 million in damages.
Underlying Legal Dispute
This social media spat is intertwined with a larger legal conflict. Musk is suing OpenAI and its leadership, alleging they misled him about the company’s original nonprofit mission when they pursued a for-profit structure. Musk, who claims to have donated $38 million to the founding of OpenAI, asserts that the company has strayed from its core principles. OpenAI, in turn, has accused Musk of “cherry-picking” evidence and attempting to control the company, stating he initially supported a for-profit model but left when his demands for absolute control were not met.