The ongoing feud between Sam Altman and Elon Musk has intensified with a new public confrontation on X (formerly Twitter) centered around AI safety concerns and allegations of deaths linked to their respective technologies. The latest escalation began when Musk warned users against ChatGPT, responding to claims that OpenAI’s chatbot has been linked to nine deaths since its 2022 launch.
Musk posted “Don’t let your loved ones use ChatGPT” early Tuesday morning, triggering a swift response from Altman, who defended OpenAI’s commitment to user safety while simultaneously attacking Tesla’s Autopilot technology. Altman called Autopilot unsafe, stating: “I only ever rode in a car using it once, some time ago, but my first thought was that it was far from a safe thing for Tesla to have released.” He also criticized Musk’s AI chatbot Grok, adding “You take ’every accusation is a confession’ so far.”
The exchange highlights serious safety concerns surrounding both companies’ products. At least eight wrongful-death lawsuits have been filed against OpenAI, alleging that ChatGPT use contributed to worsening mental health conditions, leading to suicide and murder cases involving children and young adults. Altman acknowledged the challenge, stating: “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.”
Tesla faces similar legal challenges over its self-driving technology. Multiple wrongful-death lawsuits have targeted the company’s Autopilot system, including a notable 2019 Florida crash that killed a 22-year-old woman. A jury found Tesla 33% liable and awarded plaintiffs $329 million in total damages.
This public spat occurs against the backdrop of an ongoing legal battle between the two tech titans. Musk sued Altman and OpenAI leadership, alleging they misled him when transitioning from a nonprofit to a for-profit structure, abandoning the company’s original mission. Musk claims he donated $38 million to OpenAI during its nonprofit phase. Neither Musk nor Altman’s representatives responded to requests for comment from Business Insider.
Key Quotes
Don’t let your loved ones use ChatGPT
Elon Musk posted this warning on X in response to reports linking ChatGPT to nine deaths since 2022, initiating the latest round of public attacks between the two tech leaders.
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
Sam Altman acknowledged the challenge OpenAI faces in balancing safety with accessibility, responding to Musk’s criticism while defending ChatGPT’s safety measures.
I only ever rode in a car using it once, some time ago, but my first thought was that it was far from a safe thing for Tesla to have released
Altman counterattacked by criticizing Tesla’s Autopilot technology, turning Musk’s safety concerns back on him and highlighting similar liability issues facing Tesla’s self-driving systems.
You take ’every accusation is a confession’ so far
Altman suggested Musk’s criticism of ChatGPT safety is hypocritical given Tesla’s own wrongful-death lawsuits and safety controversies surrounding Autopilot technology.
Our Take
This public clash reveals how personal animosity between AI leaders is increasingly intertwined with substantive industry debates about safety and accountability. Both executives face legitimate criticism: OpenAI’s rapid deployment strategy may have overlooked vulnerable user protections, while Tesla’s aggressive marketing of “Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving” has arguably overpromised on capabilities. The fact that both companies face wrongful-death litigation suggests systemic issues with how AI technologies are tested, deployed, and regulated. What’s particularly concerning is how this feud distracts from collaborative solutions to shared challenges. Rather than working together on AI safety standards, two of the industry’s most powerful figures are engaged in social media warfare. This underscores the need for independent regulatory frameworks that don’t rely on self-regulation by competing tech billionaires with conflicting interests and personal grudges.
Why This Matters
This confrontation between two of AI’s most influential figures underscores critical safety and accountability issues facing the artificial intelligence industry. As AI tools like ChatGPT become ubiquitous, with hundreds of millions of users worldwide, questions about their impact on vulnerable populations—particularly children and those with mental health challenges—demand urgent attention.
The exchange also highlights the regulatory vacuum surrounding AI safety. While both executives trade accusations, their companies face mounting legal pressure through wrongful-death lawsuits, suggesting that courts may establish AI safety standards before legislators do. This could set important precedents for AI liability and corporate responsibility.
The feud reflects deeper tensions about AI development philosophy: Musk has consistently advocated for AI safety regulations and slower development, while Altman has pushed for rapid deployment with iterative safety improvements. Their conflict over OpenAI’s nonprofit-to-profit transition represents fundamental disagreements about whether AI should prioritize public benefit or commercial success. As AI becomes increasingly powerful and integrated into daily life, these debates will shape the technology’s trajectory and its impact on society.
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