Business
Elon Musk Sues OpenAI And CEO Sam Altman, Claiming Betrayal Of Its Goal To Benefit Humanity
Elon Musk is suing OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, for what he claims is a violation of the ChatGPT maker’s basic mission of benefitting humanity over profit.
In a complaint filed in San Francisco Superior Court, billionaire Musk claimed that when he funded OpenAI’s founding, he had an agreement with Altman and the president, Greg Brockman, to keep the AI firm as a nonprofit that would develop technology for the benefit of the public.
According to the lawsuit, OpenAI’s founding agreement required it to make its code available to the public rather than keeping it hidden for the benefit of any private corporation.
Elon Musk Sues OpenAI And CEO Sam Altman, Claiming Betrayal Of Its Goal To Benefit Humanity
However, Musk claims in the lawsuit that by pursuing a strong relationship with Microsoft, OpenAI and its top officials have set that pact “afire” and are “perverting” the company’s objective.
OpenAI declined to comment on the lawsuit Friday.
“OpenAI, Inc. has been transformed into a closed-source de facto subsidiary of the largest technology company in the world: Microsoft,” according to the lawsuit that was filed on Thursday. “Under its new Board, it is not just developing but is actually refining an AGI to maximize profits for Microsoft, rather than for the benefit of humanity.”
Artificial general intelligence (AGI) refers to general-purpose AI systems that can perform as well as — or better than — humans in a wide range of tasks.
Musk is suing for breach of contract, fiduciary duty, and unfair commercial practices. He also seeks an injunction prohibiting anyone, including Microsoft, from benefiting from OpenAI’s technology.
Musk was an early investor in OpenAI, created in 2015, and co-chaired its board with Altman. Musk’s lawsuit stated that he committed “tens of millions” of dollars to the nonprofit research institute.
Musk resigned from the board in early 2018, which OpenAI claimed would prevent conflicts of interest because the Tesla CEO was recruiting AI expertise to develop self-driving technology at the electric car manufacturer. “This will eliminate a potential future conflict for Elon,” OpenAI wrote in a February 2018 blog post. Musk has since stated concerns with the startup’s direction, although he continues to donate to the foundation.
Elon Musk Sues OpenAI And CEO Sam Altman, Claiming Betrayal Of Its Goal To Benefit Humanity
Later that year, OpenAI filed papers to create a for-profit arm and began transferring most of its workers to that firm while maintaining a nonprofit board of directors to administer the company. Microsoft made its initial $1 billion investment in the startup in 2019 and negotiated an agreement granting the software giant exclusive rights to its AI models the following year. According to the corporation, the license will expire whenever OpenAI achieves artificial general intelligence.
Its release of ChatGPT in late 2022 cemented OpenAI’s global reputation and sparked a race among tech businesses to capitalize on the public’s enthusiasm for the technology.
When the nonprofit board abruptly ousted Altman as CEO late last year for reasons that have yet to be fully disclosed, Microsoft was instrumental in driving the push to reinstate Altman as CEO and force the resignation of the majority of the old board. Musk’s complaint claimed that these modifications led the checks and balances that protect the nonprofit goal to “collapse overnight.”
One of Musk’s arguments is that the nonprofit’s directors have failed to respect their commitments to carry out its mission, but Dana Brakman Reiser, a professor at Brooklyn Law School, questions Musk’s standing to make that claim.
“It would be very worrisome if every person who cared about or donated to a charity could suddenly sue their directors and officers to say, ‘You’re not doing what I think is the right thing to run this nonprofit,'” she told me. In general, she stated that only other directors or the attorney general may file such a claim.
Even if Musk participated in the for-profit firm, his criticism is that the group is profiting too much, which contradicts its objective of making its technologies openly available.
“I care about organizations genuinely carrying out their missions rather than being seized for commercial purposes. “That is a legitimate concern,” Brakman Reiser stated. “Whether Elon Musk is the person to raise that claim, I’m less sure.”
Elon Musk Sues OpenAI And CEO Sam Altman, Claiming Betrayal Of Its Goal To Benefit Humanity
Whatever the legal merits of the accusations, a looming lawsuit battle between Musk and Altman might provide the public with insight into OpenAI’s internal arguments and decision-making, though the company’s lawyers will likely try to keep some of those records private.
“The discovery will be epic,” venture entrepreneur Chamath Palihapitiya wrote on Musk’s social media site X on Friday. Musk responded with his only public statement on the case thus far: “Yes.”
SOURCE – (AP)
Business
Sonic the Hedgehog Dominates Christmas Wish Lists
Sonic the Hedgehog is dominating Christmas wish lists this year. The lovable blue hedgehog is back in the spotlight, from sonic the hedgehog toys and games to sonic the hedgehog coloring pages and movie hype.
Sonic-themed holiday merchandise is on fire, from quirky sweaters to action figures flying off shelves. Sonic the Hedgehog Christmas outfits for kids are selling out fast, making them a go-to gift option for festive fun.
Retailers have been quick to recognize Sonic’s holiday appeal. Special promotions and exclusive items, like the Sonic holiday t-shirts, are everywhere.
Everyone’s stocking up on Sonic merchandise, from big-box stores to boutique retailers.
Online shopping platforms are seeing a surge in searches for Sonic items. Whether it’s Sonic Christmas-themed tops or Sonic the Hedgehog coloring pages, Sonic the Hedgehog toys or Sonic and the Hedgehog 3, the demand is skyrocketing.
Retailers who tap into this trend are sure to see strong holiday sales.
Sonic has been around since the early 90s, but his popularity never wanes. With the release of Sonic 3, fans are more excited than ever.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4
Meanwhile, Paramount Pictures is preparing “Sonic the Hedgehog 4,” with the newest addition in the family-friendly genre set for a spring 2027 release.
The announcement comes as “Sonic 3” opens in theatres on Friday, estimated to gross $55 million to $60 million from 3,800 North American locations.
The sequel is shaping up to be a good holiday season blockbuster for Paramount, which explains the desire in future “Sonic” adventures. On the international front, the film will be released on Christmas Day in 52 markets.
On Rotten Tomatoes, critics gave “Sonic 3” an outstanding 87% fresh score.
The first two films grossed a total of $725.2 million at the global box office and generated over $180 million in global consumer expenditure through home entertainment rentals and digital purchases.
They also inspired a spinoff Paramount+ series, “Knuckles,” which premiered earlier this year.
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Business
Amazon Strike Called By Teamsters Union 10,000 Walkout
An Amazon strike has hit facilities in the United States in an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the corporation for a labour agreement during a peak shopping season.
The Teamsters union told the Associated Press that Amazon delivery drivers at seven facilities in the United States walked off the job on Thursday after the firm failed to discuss a labour contract.
According to the union, Amazon employees in Teamsters union jackets were protesting at “hundreds” of additional Amazon facilities, which the union billed as the “largest strike” in US history involving the company.
The corporation, which employs over 800,000 people in its US delivery network, stated that its services will be unaffected.
It was unclear how many people, including members of Germany’s United Services Union, participated in Thursday’s demonstration. The Teamsters union reported that thousands of Amazon employees were implicated in the United States.
Amazon Strike at 10 Locations
Overall, the group claims to represent “nearly 10,000” Amazon strikers, having signed up thousands of people at roughly ten locations across the country, many of whom have joined in recent months.
The organization has claimed recognition from Amazon going on strike, claiming the firm illegally neglected its obligation to bargain collectively over salary and working conditions.
The Teamsters is a long-standing US union with nearly one million members. It is well-known for securing lucrative contracts for its members at companies like delivery behemoth UPS.
Most of the Teamsters’ Amazon campaigns have concerned drivers working for third-party delivery companies that partner with the tech behemoth.
Amazon denies that it is liable as an employer in those circumstances, which is a point of legal contention. In at least one case, labour officials have taken a preliminary stance in favour of the union.
Stalled Contract Negotiations
Amazon employees at a major warehouse on Staten Island in New York have also chosen to join the Teamsters. Their warehouse is the only Amazon facility in the United States where labour officials have formally recognized a union win.
However, the Amazon strike is because contract negotiations have not progressed since the 2022 vote. It was not one of the areas scheduled to go on strike on Thursday.
Amazon, one of the largest employers in the United States, has long received criticism for its working conditions and has been the target of activists seeking to gain traction among its employees.
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Business
Amazon Encounters Numerous Strikes As Unions Aim At The Holiday Shopping Surge.
(VOR News) – Thousands of Amazon employees at various sites across the country were scheduled to go on strike on Thursday in an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the retail behemoth to acknowledge its unionised workers in the United States.
The walkout is expected to concentrate on seven Amazon locations across the country during the holiday purchasing surge and may be the most significant union action against Amazon in the nation’s history.
The business announced on Thursday morning that there had been no effect on operations. It also stated that it is “continuing to concentrate on fulfilling customers’ holiday orders.”
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters maintains that it represents more than 10,000 Amazon employees and contractors in aviation centres, warehouses, and delivery centres.
Amazon has refused to acknowledge the union for many years.
The retail giant, which employs approximately 1.5 million individuals, excludes contractors and part-timers. A strike has been initiated by delivery couriers and warehouse employees at seven distinct locations in order to exert pressure on the company to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement that would encompass modifications to compensation, amenities, and working conditions.
Picketing was intended for New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Skokie, Illinois.
Also, the Teamsters assert that they are establishing picket lines at “hundreds” of additional warehouses and delivery centres by encouraging non-unionized workers to picket under U.S. labour law, which protects workers’ ability to take collective action to further their interests.
“Amazon workers are exercising their power,” Randy Korgan stated to NPR.
“They now realise there is a pathway to take on a corporate giant like this – and that they hold the power.” Amazon responds by accusing the Teamsters of fabricating information regarding the strikes, asserting that the participants are “entirely” outsiders rather than employees or subcontractors of the corporation.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel stated that “the reality is that they were unable to secure sufficient support from our employees and partners and have invited external parties to harass and intimidate our team.” For more than a year, the Teamsters have been intentionally misleading the public by claiming to represent “thousands of employees and drivers.” They do not.
The Teamsters did not provide a specific duration for the strike; however, they informed NPR that it would extend beyond one day. Workers would receive $1,000 per week in strike money, as per the union.
Teamsters President Sean O’Brien issued a statement in which he stated, “If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can attribute it to Amazon’s insatiable greed.” We established a firm deadline for Amazon to attend the meeting and treat our members equitably. They disregarded it.
The Teamsters granted until December 15 to convene with its unionised employees and develop a collective bargaining agreement.
Amazon has opposed all unionisation efforts in court, asserting that unions were not advantageous to its employees and emphasising the compensation and benefits that the organisation currently provides.
Amazon has been accused of discriminatory labour practices on numerous occasions, including the termination of labour organisers. Furthermore, it has disputed its official status as a contract employer.
Teamsters organize Amazon delivery couriers and other employees.
In June, Amazon established its first unionised warehouse in Staten Island, New York, two years after making history by voting to join the fledgling Amazon Labour Union, which is also affiliated with the Teamsters.
The union is one of the most influential in the United States and Canada, with 1.3 million members. On Thursday, the German United Services Union declared that Amazon employees in Germany would participate in a strike in conjunction with their American counterparts.
In the past, Amazon has experienced demonstrations in Germany and Spain that were related to the holiday season in order to advocate for improved wages and working conditions.
“The holiday season has arrived.” Delivery is anticipated. Patricia Campos-Medina, the executive director of Cornell University’s Worker Institute, asserts that “this is the moment in which workers have control over the supply chain.”
The Teamsters have reported that Amazon’s profits have increased both during and after the pandemic. The corporation is currently valued at over $2.3 trillion, with net income of $15 billion in the most recent quarter alone. It is the second-largest private employer in the United States, following Walmart.
SOURCE: NPR
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