OpenAI has called for an investigation into Elon Musk following reports that he attempted to circulate negative investigative materials targeting Sam Altman. According to a copy of a letter seen by technology media, OpenAI's Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon on Monday urged the attorneys general of California and Delaware to investigate Musk's alleged deliberate efforts to undermine OpenAI. The company stated that Musk repeatedly attempted to interfere with its operations, describing his actions as "anti-competitive behavior."
In the letter, one of OpenAI's allegations cites a report published on Monday claiming that Musk paid at least one individual to spread inflammatory and potentially false information about OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Another allegation involves Musk's $97.4 billion acquisition offer last year to purchase the assets of OpenAI's nonprofit arm.
This letter marks the latest development in the ongoing conflict between OpenAI and Musk, a co-founder who left the company. Musk has publicly stated that the startup has strayed from its public-benefit mission of ensuring that powerful artificial intelligence benefits humanity.
The attorneys general had previously reached an agreement with OpenAI in late October last year, allowing the company to restructure: its for-profit arm was converted into a company with traditional equity, while its nonprofit arm transitioned into a foundation. The letter sent on Monday asserts that Musk's actions are undermining these agreements and the foundation's public-benefit mission.
OpenAI further stated in the letter that Musk has filed a lawsuit against the company for "breach of public trust," seeking over $100 billion in damages, which could potentially deplete the foundation's entire assets. A lawyer for Musk refuted this claim, stating that if Musk wins the lawsuit, any compensation would be paid by the company's for-profit division.
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