OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company led by Sam Altman, has filed a complaint against a nonprofit organization, accusing it of violating state lobbying laws and potentially having connections to Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk.
Background
The complaint, submitted to the California Fair Political Practices Commission, accuses the Coalition for AI Nonprofit Integrity (CANI) of misrepresenting its leadership and failing to disclose lobbying payments related to a state bill that could have hindered OpenAI’s transition to a for-profit model.
Allegations
The complaint alleges that CANI breached the Political Reform Act and calls for an immediate investigation. OpenAI’s attorney, Ann O’Leary, a former chief of staff to Gov. Gavin Newsom, authored the complaint. The AI company suspects that opponents of its restructuring plans, including Anthropic and Musk, have covert ties to CANI.
Connections to Elon Musk
OpenAI’s legal team claims to have discovered a link between CANI and a New York-based lawyer who they believe is a front for the nonprofit. The house rented by this individual is reportedly owned by Tesla Place, LLC, further raising suspicions about potential connections to Musk.
Response from CANI
CANI spokesperson Becky Warren has denied any association with Musk and asserted that the group is a grassroots initiative funded by various individuals, including Harvard professor Lawrence Lessig.
Ongoing Feud
This latest development adds to the ongoing feud between OpenAI and Musk, who was a co-founder of the company but has since become a vocal critic of its direction. OpenAI’s restructuring plans have been a point of contention, with Musk receiving support from AI experts and former employees to block the transition to a more profit-driven structure.
Recent Events
Earlier in July, OpenAI publicly refuted claims of a partnership with Robinhood regarding “OpenAI tokens,” stating that these tokens are not equivalent to OpenAI equity. Musk responded by saying, “Your ‘equity’ is fake.” Altman has accused Musk of using harassment tactics to impede the company’s progress and disrupt its growth plans, including a contentious bid for control.
What’s Next
The investigation into CANI’s activities and potential connections to Elon Musk is ongoing. As the feud between OpenAI and Musk continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop and what implications it will have for the AI industry.