Elon Musk is reportedly working on launching an AI startup to compete with OpenAI.
Many prominent names, including Elon Musk, have weighed in on the matter of AI technology that recently exploded and is aggressively dominating. Opinions are in two directions: while many see AI as a game-changer for many industries, others like Musk are concerned about its associated risks and disadvantages.
During a FOX interview, the Tesla chief compared AI’s potential danger to more than the risks of a mismanaged aircraft design or production maintenance. Noting the low probability, he added:
“However small one may regard that probability, but it is non-trivial – it has the potential of civilizational destruction.”
The clip of the interview was posted on Twitter and sparked mixed reactions, as usual. However, many agreed with Musk that AI is dangerous, possessing more evil than good. Some said that AI’s risk should be why the technology never gets into the wrong hands. As the conversation continued among Crypto Twitter, Musk emphasized that “anyone who thinks this [AI] risk is 0% is an idiot.”
Musk is Reportedly Seeking Funds to Launch AI Firm
Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported that Elon Musk is working on launching an AI startup to compete with OpenAI. The report came out a day before the FOX interview, where he spoke on AI’s destruction, was posted on Twitter. People familiar with the development revealed that the billionaire is already gathering a team to the effect. The group includes researchers and engineers in the artificial intelligence industry. Earlier reports noted that the Twitter head had added former DeepMind worker Igor Babuschkin to the team.
The report cited another source, who said that Musk is in talks with SpaceX and Tesla investors. According to the person with knowledge of the matter, “a bunch of people” are putting money into the incoming AI startup. “It’s real and they are excited about it.” In addition to building a team of researchers and engineers, as well as discussions with investors, Musk is reportedly recruiting from top AI companies like DeepMind, which is owned by tech giant Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL).
Furthermore, Musk has reportedly secured a lot of GPU processors, which can be used in developing a larger language model. The sources said the businessman acquired thousands of these processors from Nvidia.
If Musk eventually enters the controversial AI market, it would be an addition to his investments, including Tesla, SpaceX, Twitter, and others. Notably, the billionaire co-founded Open AI in 2015 before leaving the company in 2018. People who were involved with OpenAI at the time said Musk left due to attitudes to safety and other disagreements with its management. He wrote in 2019 that it was “better to part ways on good terms.” Since he exited the company, he has criticized the ChatGPT maker.
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