Elon Musk on Sam Altman and ChatGPT: I am the reason OpenAI exists

CNBC Television
16 May 202305:17

TLDRIn this conversation, the speaker reflects on their substantial financial contribution to OpenAI, recalling their initial concerns about AI safety and the influence of Google and DeepMind. They express regret for not securing governance or control over their investment, feeling misled by OpenAI's shift from a non-profit open-source entity to a for-profit closed-source one. The speaker also raises questions about the implications of such a transformation and the potential control Microsoft may have over OpenAI's developments.

Takeaways

  • 🤖 The speaker was a significant early contributor to OpenAI, donating around $50 million.
  • 💡 The speaker is also the reason OpenAI exists and was involved in naming the organization, emphasizing open source and non-profit values.
  • 🚀 The speaker had concerns about AI safety and urged caution, which was not shared by others like Larry Page.
  • 🌐 Google, particularly after acquiring DeepMind, dominated the AI talent pool, which the speaker saw as a problem due to their lack of concern for AI safety.
  • 🐘 The speaker initially thought OpenAI's chances of competing with Google were slim, comparing it to an elephant not contesting.
  • 🔄 The speaker played a key role in recruiting top scientists and engineers, which was crucial for OpenAI's success.
  • 💸 The speaker expresses disappointment with OpenAI's transition from a non-profit open-source entity to a for-profit closed-source one.
  • 📝 The speaker questions the legality and ethical implications of OpenAI's transformation and its alignment with the original purpose of the donation.
  • 🌳 The analogy is made comparing OpenAI's shift to an organization that claims to save the Amazon rainforest but instead becomes a lumber company.
  • 🔗 The relationship between OpenAI and Microsoft is highlighted, with concerns about Microsoft's control over OpenAI's software and models due to their investment.

Q & A

  • What was the speaker's initial contribution to OpenAI?

    -The speaker contributed a significant amount of money, on the order of $50 million, and was instrumental in coming up with the name 'OpenAI'.

  • What was the speaker's relationship with Ira Page?

    -The speaker used to be close friends with Ira Page, and they would have long conversations about AI, with the speaker often urging caution regarding the dangers of AI.

  • How did the speaker feel about Google's approach to AI safety?

    -The speaker felt that Google, particularly after acquiring DeepMind, did not seem concerned about AI safety, which was a problem for them.

  • What was the speaker's reaction to being called a 'species' for being pro-human consciousness?

    -The speaker acknowledged the label, indicating that they indeed are a species and that they feel like a 'huge idiot' for not ensuring governance over the money they contributed.

  • What was the original intent behind the name 'OpenAI'?

    -The name 'OpenAI' was intended to represent an open-source, non-profit entity, as opposed to Google's closed-source, for-profit model.

  • Did the speaker have doubts about OpenAI's ability to compete with Google and DeepMind?

    -Yes, the speaker thought it was a hopeless endeavor for OpenAI to compete with Google and DeepMind, given their resources and talent.

  • What role did the speaker play in recruiting key scientists and engineers for OpenAI?

    -The speaker was instrumental in recruiting key personnel, including a notable individual who went back and forth before ultimately deciding to join OpenAI, which was crucial for its success.

  • How does the speaker feel about OpenAI becoming a for-profit entity?

    -The speaker is disappointed and finds it weird that OpenAI, initially a non-profit open-source organization, transformed into a for-profit closed-source entity.

  • What concerns does the speaker have about the control of a potential digital super intelligence created by OpenAI?

    -The speaker is concerned about who would control such an intelligence and the relationship between OpenAI and Microsoft, especially in terms of Microsoft's rights to the software and model weights.

  • Is the speaker questioning the legality of OpenAI's transition from non-profit to for-profit?

    -The speaker implies that if it is legal to start a non-profit and then transfer its intellectual property to a for-profit entity, it raises ethical questions about the default behavior of such organizations.

  • What does the speaker suggest about the default behavior of organizations if OpenAI's transition is legal?

    -The speaker suggests that if such a transition is legal, then it should be the default for everyone, which implies a concern about the potential exploitation of non-profit status.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 Founding OpenAI and Early Concerns

The speaker reflects on their early involvement with OpenAI, highlighting their frustration with the organization's direction. They mention a significant financial contribution of around $50 million and their role in naming the company, emphasizing the original intent of OpenAI as an open-source, non-profit entity to counter Google's dominance in AI. The speaker expresses regret for not securing governance or control over their investment, feeling like a 'huge idiot' for not doing so. They also discuss their efforts in recruiting key scientists and engineers, particularly a pivotal individual who ultimately joined OpenAI, which was crucial for its success. The speaker is disappointed with OpenAI's transition from a non-profit to a for-profit entity, likening it to a conservation organization turning into a logging company, and questions the legality and ethical implications of such a transformation.

05:01

💻 OpenAI's Shift and Microsoft's Influence

The conversation shifts to concerns about Microsoft's increased control over OpenAI following their investment. The speaker worries that Microsoft's rights to all software and model weights could lead to a problematic dependency. They ponder the implications of such a relationship, particularly in the context of creating a digital super intelligence and who would have control over it, suggesting that the balance of power and influence is a critical issue.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Open AI

Open AI is an artificial intelligence research organization that aims to ensure that artificial general intelligence (AGI) benefits all of humanity. In the video, the speaker is a significant early contributor to Open AI and expresses frustration with its direction, particularly its shift from a non-profit open-source model to a for-profit closed-source entity.

💡Funding

Funding refers to the financial support provided to a project or organization. The speaker mentions contributing a substantial amount, around $50 million, to Open AI, which underscores their initial commitment to the organization's mission and their subsequent disappointment with its evolution.

💡AI Safety

AI Safety concerns the measures taken to prevent potential risks associated with the development and deployment of artificial intelligence. The speaker emphasizes their early warnings about the dangers of AI and their concern that the initial leadership of Open AI did not share the same level of concern.

💡Ira Page

Ira Page is mentioned as a close friend of the speaker and a key figure in discussions about AI. These conversations highlight the early debates about the potential risks and the importance of AI safety, which the speaker felt were not being adequately addressed by others in the field.

💡DeepMind

DeepMind is a leading artificial intelligence company that was acquired by Google, giving Google a significant presence in the AI field. The speaker references DeepMind to illustrate the dominance of Google in AI and the challenges faced by Open AI in competing with such a well-funded entity.

💡Governance

Governance in the context of the video refers to the oversight and control mechanisms that should be in place to ensure that an organization adheres to its stated mission and ethical guidelines. The speaker regrets not having secured governance rights over the funds they contributed, which would have provided them with some level of control over Open AI's direction.

💡Nonprofit vs. For-profit

The distinction between nonprofit and for-profit entities is a core theme of the video. Nonprofits operate without the primary goal of making a profit, while for-profits aim to generate profit for shareholders. The speaker is critical of Open AI's transition from a nonprofit open-source model to a for-profit closed-source model, which they view as a betrayal of the organization's original mission.

💡Digital Super Intelligence

Digital Super Intelligence refers to a hypothetical level of artificial intelligence that surpasses human intelligence in virtually every aspect. The speaker raises concerns about who would control such an entity and the potential implications for humanity, emphasizing the importance of AI safety and ethical considerations.

💡Microsoft Investment

Microsoft's investment in Open AI is mentioned as a point of concern for the speaker. They worry that Microsoft's involvement and the rights it grants could lead to a loss of control over Open AI's AI developments, potentially compromising the organization's initial goals and ethical standards.

💡Recruiting

Recruiting in the context of the video refers to the speaker's role in attracting key scientists and engineers to Open AI. The speaker mentions a specific individual who was instrumental in the success of Open AI, highlighting the importance of talent acquisition in the development of AI technologies.

💡Pro-Human Consciousness

Pro-Human Consciousness is a term used in the video to describe the speaker's stance on AI development, advocating for a human-centric approach that prioritizes ethical considerations and the well-being of humanity. The speaker's frustration with being labeled as a 'species' for this stance reflects their commitment to ensuring AI development aligns with human values.

Highlights

The speaker contributed significantly to OpenAI, being one of the early big contributors.

The speaker donated an amount on the order of $50 million to OpenAI.

The speaker was close friends with Ira Page and had long conversations about AI dangers.

Google, particularly after acquiring DeepMind, had a dominant position in AI talent and resources.

The speaker was concerned about Google's lack of concern for AI safety.

The speaker felt that Google's control over AI was a problem.

The speaker regrets not having secured governance or control over the money donated.

OpenAI was created as an open-source, non-profit entity.

The speaker was instrumental in recruiting key scientists and engineers for OpenAI.

The speaker is disappointed with OpenAI's transition from non-profit to for-profit.

The speaker questions the legality of a non-profit turning into a for-profit entity.

The speaker compares OpenAI's shift to a for-profit model to an environmental organization becoming a lumber company.

The speaker expresses concern over who would control a potential digital super intelligence created by OpenAI.

The relationship between OpenAI and Microsoft is highlighted, with concerns over Microsoft's control.

Microsoft's investment in OpenAI gives them rights to all software and model weights.

The speaker feels like a 'huge idiot' for not ensuring governance over the donated funds.

The speaker initially thought OpenAI's endeavor was hopeless due to the competition with Google and DeepMind.

The speaker's involvement in OpenAI included coming up with the name and the open-source, non-profit concept.

The speaker's disappointment is rooted in the违背 of the original mission and principles of OpenAI.

The speaker's concerns extend to the broader implications of AI safety and control.

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