Elon Musk’s Case Against OpenAI Receives a Major Boost From Meta

Meta has entered the fray between Elon Musk and OpenAI, asking a judge to prevent OpenAI from transitioning to a for-profit company.

Elon Musk has launched a very public legal battle with the company he co-founded, trying to prevent OpenAI from becoming a for-profit entity. Musk claims that converting to a for-profit entity goes contrary to OpenAI’s original mission to safely and ethically develop AI. Musk’s most recent move involves filing for an injunction to prevent OpenAI from moving forward with the transition until the courts can settle the issue once and for all, a proposition that could cause the AI firm dearly, since much of its recent round of funding was contingent on it transitioning within two years.

Meta is now joining the fight, asking the California Attorney General Rob Bonta to block OpenAI’s plans, according to The Wall Street Journal.

“OpenAI’s conduct could have seismic implications for Silicon Valley,” Meta wrote in the letter. “If OpenAI’s new business model is valid, non-profit investors would get the same for-profit upside as those who invest the conventional way in for-profit companies while also benefiting from tax write-offs bestowed by the government.”

Meta went on to specifically name Musk and his associate Shivon Zilis, in their battle with OpenAI.

“Although we ask your office to take direct action, we believe that Mr. Musk and Ms. Zilis are qualified and well-positioned to represent the interests of Californians in this matter,” Meta wrote.

Needless to say, Meta throwing its weight behind Musk’s legal battle is the last thing OpenAI wanted, and could prove to be a devastating development for the AI firm.

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