Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, xAI, is set to open-source its ChatGPT rival “Grok” this week, according to the billionaire’s recent announcement. This move comes amid Musk’s ongoing feud with OpenAI, the company he co-founded but later sued for allegedly abandoning its original mission to benefit humanity.
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Elon Musk’s xAI to Open-Source ChatGPT Rival ‘Grok’ Amid OpenAI Feud
Musk Accuses OpenAI of Chasing Profit Over Altruistic Goals
Musk has long criticized OpenAI for partnering with tech giants like Microsoft, accusing the company of prioritizing profit over its initial altruistic goals. In a recent lawsuit, Musk claimed that OpenAI has become a “closed-source de facto subsidiary” of Microsoft, deviating from its original open-source and non-profit mission.
Responding to the lawsuit, OpenAI released a series of emails suggesting that Musk had intended to merge Tesla with OpenAI to create a “cash cow” company.
Grok: A Politically Neutral and Humorous ChatGPT Alternative
Launched in November 2023, Grok is Musk’s answer to ChatGPT, which he has criticized for generating politically biased answers. Musk described Grok as a politically neutral version of OpenAI’s chatbot, with added features like a sense of humor and sarcasm.
“The danger of training AI to be woke – in other words, lie – is deadly,” Musk wrote on X, previously known as Twitter, taking a jab at OpenAI’s alleged biases.
Open-Sourcing AI: Opportunities and Concerns
Open-sourcing AI models like Grok has garnered attention from various tech investors and companies, including OpenAI backers and rivals like Meta and Google. While open-sourcing can accelerate innovation and attract developers, experts have warned about potential risks, such as enabling the creation of chemical weapons or uncontrolled super-intelligence.
Musk has previously expressed support for open-sourcing AI, stating on a podcast with computer scientist Lex Fridman, “The name, the open in OpenAI, is supposed to mean open source, and it was created as a nonprofit open source. And now it is a closed source for maximum profit.”
As xAI prepares to open-source Grok, the extent of the source code’s availability and the potential implications remain unclear. However, Musk’s move further escalates the rivalry between his startup and the company he once co-founded, underscoring the ongoing debate surrounding the ethical development and deployment of artificial intelligence.
