Elon Musk tried to hire OpenAI founders to start AI unit inside Tesla

In 2018, Elon Musk made a bold move by attempting to recruit the founding team of OpenAI, including Sam Altman, to spearhead a new artificial intelligence division at Tesla. This initiative emerged amidst internal struggles within OpenAI's leadership regarding the company's future direction. Musk, who co-founded OpenAI, suggested appointing Altman to Tesla's board or potentially transforming OpenAI into a subsidiary of the automotive giant. This revelation came to light during a high-profile trial where Musk is embroiled in a dispute with OpenAI. At the heart of the matter is Musk's allegation that Altman had improperly converted OpenAI from a non-profit to a for-profit entity, which he referred to as 'stealing a charity.' In contrast, OpenAI's legal team contends that Musk was eager to commercialize the AI lab as long as he retained control over it. Evidence presented in court, including emails and testimonies, revealed that by the end of 2017, Musk had grown disillusioned with OpenAI's capacity to achieve artificial general intelligence (AGI)—a highly advanced AI capability. He began contemplating the establishment of an AI lab within Tesla instead. In a message to Shivon Zilis, an OpenAI advisor and board member, Musk expressed his concerns about OpenAI’s future, stating, "There is little chance of OpenAI being a successful force if I focus on TeslaAI." Zilis, who has personal ties to Musk and was a key figure in discussions between him and OpenAI's founders, had outlined plans for an event to announce Tesla's ambitions in AI. She envisioned showcasing Tesla's capabilities as a leading AI lab, competing with giants like Google DeepMind and Facebook AI Research. By early 2018, Zilis had developed nine potential strategies for achieving AGI, most of which centered around integrating Altman into Tesla’s leadership. Among the proposals was the idea of luring Demis Hassabis, the founder of DeepMind, to take a leading role in Musk's new AI initiative. This intense focus on AI reflects Musk's recognition of its pivotal role in the future of technology and his aspiration to position Tesla at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field.