OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed his confidence in the integrity of Elon Musk despite their ongoing legal dispute. Altman stated that he is not overly concerned about Musk's potential influence within the incoming Trump administration. He emphasized his belief that Musk, as a prominent figure, would not misuse his political power to harm competitors or unfairly benefit his own ventures.
Altman highlighted the importance of upholding ethical standards in business practices, asserting that it would be against American values to leverage political connections for personal gain. He expressed optimism that Musk would act in accordance with these principles.
The conflict between Musk and OpenAI stems from a lawsuit filed by Musk earlier this year, alleging that the company deviated from its original mission of serving the public good by prioritizing profits. Musk has taken legal action to prevent OpenAI from transitioning into a for-profit entity.
Additionally, Musk has launched xAI, a rival artificial intelligence company, which Altman acknowledged as a significant competitor to OpenAI. Despite these challenges, Altman remains steadfast in his belief that ethical conduct will prevail in the industry.
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Musk, the wealthiest individual globally, and Vivek Ramaswamy, a former Republican presidential candidate and entrepreneur, to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This advisory committee aims to collaborate with government officials to streamline spending and regulations.
