Meta Supports Musk in Blocking OpenAI's For-Profit Shift to Attorney General

Facebook's parent company, Meta, has taken a significant stance in the ongoing battle between OpenAI and Elon Musk. As reported by The Wall Street Journal, Meta sent a letter to California attorney general Rob Bonta, emphasizing the potential "seismic implications" of allowing OpenAI to convert from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity. While Meta called for direct action, it also recognized the qualifications of Musk and former OpenAI board member Shivon Zilis to represent Californian interests in this matter.

Meta's Perspective on the Business Model

Meta wrote in its letter that if OpenAI's new business model is valid, non-profit investors would enjoy the same for-profit upside as those investing in traditional for-profit companies. Additionally, they would benefit from tax write-offs provided by the government. This highlights Meta's concern about the potential advantages that OpenAI might gain through this transition.

Competition in the AI Market

Meta has emerged as one of OpenAI's major competitors in the AI market. Musk, who was originally a co-founder of OpenAI, eventually split from the company and started rival xAI. He also took legal action, including seeking an injunction to halt OpenAI's transition to a for-profit model. (Shivon Zilis is a plaintiff in Musk's lawsuit.) This shows the intense rivalry between the two companies in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

OpenAI's Response

OpenAI responded by publishing emails and texts from Musk, arguing that he should be competing in the marketplace rather than the courtroom. This indicates OpenAI's stance that legal battles are not the way to resolve their differences and that they prefer to focus on innovation and competition in the market.Meta's involvement in this matter highlights the competitive nature of the AI industry and the significant impact that such decisions can have on the future of the sector. As both Meta and OpenAI continue to shape the landscape of AI, their actions and interactions will be closely watched by the industry and investors alike.