Elon Musk Steps Down From OpenAI Board Over Potential Future Conflict

OpenAI is the organization that Tesla CEO Elon Musk helped create along with a number of tech figures in order to curb the threat posed by super-intelligent artificial intelligence. Due to the escalating progress by Tesla in developing AI technology, however, it was becoming clear that Musk was heading towards a conflict of interest. As a result, the tech renegade has chosen to step down as a member of the board at OpenAI.

The announcement was made via OpenAI’s blog post, where in addition to Musk’s departure, the organization also welcomed new donors to its cause. Considering how both entities are now on the road to faster and more advanced developments in AI technology, this appears to be the most logical solution in order to prevent a conflict in the future.

“Elon Musk will depart the OpenAI Board but will continue to donate and advise the organization. As Tesla continues to become more focused on AI, this will eliminate a potential future conflict for Elon,” the post reads.

For those familiar with Musk’s sentiments with regards to AI, it might seem odd that Tesla would start ramping up its development of the technology. However, as CNET points out, the CEO has noted in the past that it was a narrower approach to AI than what others are trying to do.

Tesla is basically trying to create a program that is capable of performing very specialized tasks and stick only to those tasks. This naturally involves being able to do things like control vehicles while driving over in any terrain, through all kinds of weather, and recognize obstacles in their way.

The whole point to OpenAI was to develop a system that the tech industry can adhere to with regards to developing AI technology. This is to minimize risks of AIs going wild and putting humans in danger.