The Financial Times , citing sources familiar with Musk’s plans, reported Friday that Elon Musk was working to launch an artificial intelligence startup that would rival ChatGPT maker OpenAI.
According to a report in the FT, Twitter owner Musk is assembling a group of AI researchers, engineers and other professionals. He is also in talks with investors from SpaceX, Tesla Inc and other companies about putting their money into Musk’s new venture.
Musk’s plan comes after a group AI researchers and executives including himself called for a 6-month pause on developing systems more powerful that OpenAI’s GPT-4. Citing potential risks to the society, they demanded a 6-month pause .
Generative AI is being pushed by companies from Microsoft Corp through to Alphabet Inc.
ChatGPT faces resistance from regulators who want to see well-defined rules before it is adopted in mass. Italy has prohibited chatGPT due to privacy concerns, and a European privacy watchdog set up a Task Force as a first step toward a common AI policy.
Musk secured thousands of graphics processor units from Nvidia Corp . The chip company declined to comment. Shares rose on Friday on this news.
According to a filing with the Nevada state government, Musk registered a Nevada-based company named X.AI Corp last month. Musk is listed as the only director, and Jared Birchall as secretary. Birchall is the managing director of Musk’s family office.
The firm’s relationship to Musk’s AI startup efforts was unclear. Musk didn’t respond to a Reuters comment request.
Musk is a co-founder of OpenAI. It was founded as a non profit in 2015. In 2018, he stepped down as a director of the company.
