OpenAI, Salesforce [CRM:US], and dozens of other tech companies have signed an open letter highlighting a “collective responsibility” to maximize the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) and mitigate the risks to society, as reported by Bloomberg on March 5. The letter compared the impact of AI to other major innovations of human history, such as the printing press, combustion engine, electricity, and the internet. It stressed that the balance between the positive and negative impacts of AI on humanity will depend on collective human actions and thoughtfulness. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed excitement for the spirit of the letter in a post on the social media platform X, saying that progress in AI will be a crucial factor in improving people’s quality of life. Nevertheless, the letter does not provide specific actions to take good advantage of AI.

The open letter is an answer to the recent lawsuit filed by Elon Musk against OpenAI, alleging that the company abandoned its founding mission to develop open-source AI that benefits humanity and has turned into a profit-centered firm. As a co-founder and early investor in OpenAI, Musk also asserted that OpenAI has become a de facto closed-source affiliate of Microsoft [MSFT:US]. In response, OpenAI stated it “categorically disagrees” with Musk’s claims, emphasizing its independence as a startup.

Sources:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-04/openai-salesforce-sign-pledge-to-build-ai-for-good-of-humanity

https://www.reuters.com/legal/elon-musk-sues-openai-ceo-sam-altman-breach-contract-2024-03-01/