OpenAI Considers Microsoft's Access to Advanced Technology

OpenAI is currently contemplating the potential removal of a key provision that hinders Microsoft, a major partner and investor in OpenAI, from accessing its most advanced technology once the company achieves artificial general intelligence (AGI). This provision, which is under review by OpenAI's board, designates AGI—characterized by OpenAI as "highly autonomous systems that outperform humans at most economically valuable work"—to be sequestered from commercial use. If the board decides to eliminate this provision, it would enable Microsoft to maintain its access to OpenAI’s technology and continue its investments, further strengthening the Microsoft and OpenAI partnership, even after AGI is realized. As it stands, the board has not reached a final decision regarding this matter, which remains uncertain.

The original intent behind this provision was to prevent the misuse of AGI for profit, ensuring that ownership of such technology remains with OpenAI's nonprofit board and that AGI is excluded from all licensing agreements. However, OpenAI is under substantial pressure to secure funding, as evident in the ongoing discussions about Microsoft investing in OpenAI, for its continuous research and development efforts, which may be influencing these considerations. This situation underscores the ongoing tension between ethical AI deployment and the financial realities faced by organizations in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, as ethical AI practices are becoming more crucial amidst these challenges.