A recent New Yorker story is full of nasty accusations about OpenAI CEO Sam Altman—especially his alleged lying and “sociopathic” behavior. But a new letter from OpenAI asks the states of California and Delaware to focus on something completely different in the New Yorker story: Elon Musk’s alleged wrongdoing.
Another major OpenAI competitor, Meta, is also mentioned in the letter, which was reported by CNBC. Chris Lehane, head of global affairs at OpenAI, told CNBC that Musk and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg are “resorting to behavior and approaches that we believe are really very questionable and clearly worthy of investigation.”
The letter was also reviewed by the Sacramento Beewhich notes that it accuses Musk and Zuckerberg of, according to Bee, “conspiring while Musk sought to unearth incriminating information about Altman.”
With the letter, OpenAI is apparently asking the attorneys general of California and Delaware to investigate Musk, who in addition to everything else He’s a rival AI executive—along with Meta, for “inappropriate and anti-competitive behavior,” more specifically coordinated “attacks.” Such attacks could allegedly inhibit OpenAI’s ability to generate artificial general intelligence (AGI).
Musk, to refresh your memory, is suing OpenAI for $134 billion at last count. From the beginning, OpenAI has characterized the lawsuit as part of a long-running smear campaign. In January of this year a statement called Musk’s lawsuit “baseless and part of his ongoing pattern of harassment.”
The lawsuit is moving toward a trial in the Northern District of California. On April 27, CNBC says jury selection will begin.
CNBC notes that the letter to Delaware and California “referred to a recent report by The New Yorker” about Musk and his “middlemen.”
A relevant passage from the New Yorker story reads as follows:
“Intermediaries directly connected to Musk, and in at least one case compensated by him, have circulated dozens of pages of detailed opposition investigations into Altman. They reflect extensive surveillance, documenting shell companies associated with him, the personal contact information of close associates, and even interviews about an alleged sex worker, conducted at gay bars. One of Musk’s intermediaries claimed that Altman’s flights and the parties he attended were being tracked.”
“These attacks,” Kwon writes in the letter, “are designed to take control of AGI’s future out of the hands of those who are legally obligated to pursue the mission of ensuring AGI benefits all of humanity, and put it in the hands of competitors who lack mission-driven principles and disregard any responsibility for security.”
In a report late last month from EngadgetIt emerged that last year, Zuckerberg texted Musk offering to help with his efforts to cut the federal budget with DOGE. Musk responded with a heart emoji, but then asked Zuckerberg if he was “open to the idea of bidding on the OpenAI IP with me and a few others.” Zuckerberg then suggested that the conversation be moved to a phone call.
Gizmodo contacted xAI and Meta for comment on this letter. We will update this article if we receive a response.
