The frantic battle over OpenAI shows that money triumphs in the end

The frantic battle over OpenAI shows that money triumphs in the end: How AI safety is threatened by greed

Artificial intelligence has huge potential to benefit humanity, from developing new medicines to advancing education. However, unchecked AI could also lead to job losses, autonomous weapons, and even an AI system reprogramming itself to end all life on Earth.

To gain the benefits of AI while avoiding the risks, OpenAI formed in 2015 as a nonprofit focused on AI safety. OpenAI attracted big tech investors like Microsoft, who invested $13 billion expecting huge returns. But OpenAI’s nonprofit status and capped profits limited investor gains.

OpenAI’s CEO tried balancing investor demands with AI safety, but the board fired him. Then, facing pressure from employees and investors, the board reinstated him. The CEO and employees will earn fortunes if OpenAI is sold, incentivizing growth over safety.

The business press defines success as maximizing profits, not AI safety. They criticized OpenAI’s nonprofit structure and cheered changes giving more control to investors. But private companies motivated by profits can’t be trusted to self-regulate AI.

Even nonprofits with profit caps aren’t immune to greed. Money triumphed at OpenAI, with big tech and Wall Street overpowering the nonprofit board. The battle shows human greed is the real threat to AI safety.

Government regulation may be needed, though governments can also be corrupted by money. The question is whether any group can weigh AI’s benefits and risks, and regulate this powerful technology, without being influenced by greed.

The future of AI safety hangs in the balance. Concerned citizens must demand policymakers and companies make AI safety, not profits, their top priority. Our lives may depend on it.

‍