Ex-OpenAI Employees Support Musk's Lawsuit Against For-Profit Shift

A group of twelve former OpenAI employees has formally supported Elon Musk's lawsuit against the company, arguing that its conversion from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity contradicts its founding principles. Their amicus brief expresses concerns about a potential breach of trust with stakeholders and the prioritization of profit over AI safety. Musk contends that OpenAI's acceptance of substantial investments, particularly from Microsoft, marks a shift away from its original charitable mission, which he co-founded in 2015. OpenAI, meanwhile, defends its restructuring as necessary to attract investment and maintain its mission through a new Public Benefit Corporation model. The ex-employees, represented by Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig, urge the court to uphold the nonprofit's control to ensure adherence to its ethical commitments. This legal battle reflects broader tensions regarding the governance and ethical direction of AI development.