Geoffrey Hinton, the Nobel Prize-winning AI pioneer known as the “godfather of AI,” has publicly thrown his support behind Elon Musk’s legal battle against OpenAI. In a statement issued through Encode, a youth-led advocacy organization focused on human-centered AI, Hinton criticized OpenAI’s transition from its original nonprofit mission to a for-profit structure.
Hinton emphasized that OpenAI was founded as an explicitly safety-focused nonprofit and made numerous safety-related promises in its charter while receiving tax benefits and other advantages from its nonprofit status. “Allowing it to tear all of that up when it becomes inconvenient sends a very bad message to other actors in the ecosystem,” Hinton stated. The renowned researcher, who won the 2024 Nobel Prize in physics in October for his groundbreaking work in neural networks, spent over a decade at Google before departing in May 2023.
The controversy centers on OpenAI’s ongoing transformation into a for-profit company, a move that Musk is actively trying to block through legal channels. Musk, who cofounded OpenAI alongside Sam Altman and others in 2015 but left its board in 2018, filed an injunction last month to halt the transition. OpenAI responded by calling Musk’s filing “utterly without merit.”
Encode filed an amicus brief supporting Musk’s efforts on Friday. Adam Billen, Encode’s vice president of public policy, emphasized that “from the start, OpenAI’s mission was to keep its technology under the control of a nonprofit accountable to the public.” He argued that the company’s decision to abandon that mission “underscores why public involvement is essential in shaping the future of this transformative technology.”
Musk’s legal saga with OpenAI began in February when he filed a lawsuit accusing the ChatGPT-maker of violating its nonprofit mission through its partnership with Microsoft. After withdrawing the lawsuit in June, Musk refiled in August, with his lawyers arguing that OpenAI executives “deceived” him into cofounding the company by exploiting his concerns about AI’s existential risks.
This isn’t Hinton’s first criticism of OpenAI. At an October press conference, he stated that Sam Altman is “much less concerned with safety than with profits,” describing the situation as “unfortunate.” The stakes are high: OpenAI closed a $6.6 billion funding round in October, valuing the company at an impressive $157 billion.
Key Quotes
OpenAI was founded as an explicitly safety-focused non-profit and made a variety of safety related promises in its charter. It received numerous tax and other benefits from its non-profit status. Allowing it to tear all of that up when it becomes inconvenient sends a very bad message to other actors in the ecosystem.
Geoffrey Hinton, the Nobel Prize-winning AI pioneer, made this statement through Encode, directly criticizing OpenAI’s shift away from its nonprofit roots. This matters because Hinton is one of the most respected voices in AI, and his public stance adds significant credibility to concerns about OpenAI’s transformation.
From the start, OpenAI’s mission was to keep its technology under the control of a nonprofit accountable to the public. Its decision to abandon that mission in favor of profit underscores why public involvement is essential in shaping the future of this transformative technology.
Adam Billen, Encode’s vice president of public policy, emphasized the importance of public accountability in AI development. This statement frames the legal battle as not just about corporate structure, but about who controls transformative AI technology and in whose interests it operates.
much less concerned with safety than with profits
Geoffrey Hinton used these words to describe Sam Altman at an October press conference, calling the situation “unfortunate.” This direct criticism from AI’s godfather toward OpenAI’s CEO reveals deep concerns within the AI research community about the company’s priorities and leadership direction.
Our Take
The alignment of Geoffrey Hinton with Elon Musk’s position creates an unusual alliance that transcends typical tech industry rivalries. Hinton’s involvement elevates this from a business dispute to a fundamental debate about AI governance and ethics. His decision to speak out publicly, despite his typically reserved nature, suggests genuine alarm about OpenAI’s trajectory.
What’s particularly striking is how this case exposes the inherent tensions in AI development: the need for massive capital to build cutting-edge systems versus commitments to safety and public benefit. OpenAI’s $157 billion valuation demonstrates the enormous commercial potential of AI, but Hinton’s criticism suggests that financial success shouldn’t override founding principles.
This controversy may ultimately force the AI industry to confront whether the current corporate structures are adequate for developing technology with such profound societal implications. The outcome could reshape how AI companies balance innovation, profit, and responsibility.
Why This Matters
This development represents a significant moment in the AI industry’s ongoing debate about corporate governance, safety priorities, and the commercialization of artificial intelligence technology. When a figure as influential as Geoffrey Hinton—a Nobel laureate and foundational AI researcher—publicly supports legal action against one of the industry’s most prominent companies, it signals deep concerns about the direction of AI development.
The case highlights the tension between profit motives and safety commitments that many believe should guide AI advancement. OpenAI’s transformation from a nonprofit focused on beneficial AI to a for-profit entity valued at $157 billion raises fundamental questions about accountability and mission drift in the AI sector. This could set important precedents for how AI companies structure themselves and whether they can abandon their founding principles when financial incentives change.
For the broader tech industry, this legal battle may influence how future AI companies are structured and governed, particularly those that begin with public benefit missions. The outcome could affect investor confidence, regulatory approaches, and public trust in AI development, making it a pivotal moment for the industry’s future trajectory.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/geoffrey-hinton-backs-elon-musk-openai-lawsuit-2024-12