In a recent interview with Fox News's Tucker Carlson, entrepreneur Elon Musk revealed plans to develop "TruthGPT," an alternative to ChatGPT that aims to become a "maximum truth-seeking AI." Musk envisions this artificial intelligence system as one dedicated to understanding the universe, which he believes may help ensure the safety of humanity.
He draws a parallel between AI's potential lack of intent to harm humans and the human desire to protect chimpanzees, despite having the power to hunt them down. This comparison is particularly notable in light of the controversy surrounding Neuralink's treatment of chimpanzees.
Musk sees TruthGPT as a necessary adjustment to the approach taken by OpenAI, a nonprofit AI software organization he co-founded, which now operates a for-profit subsidiary. He suggests that OpenAI's profit-driven motives could compromise the ethical development of AI models, positioning TruthGPT as a more transparent and morally sound alternative.
This is not the first instance of Musk expressing his interest in developing TruthGPT. In February, he tweeted about the need for such a project and highlighted the risks associated with large-scale AI models, like those produced by OpenAI. In March, Musk, along with several AI researchers, signed an open letter calling for companies to halt "giant AI experiments" that are not fully understood, predictable, or controllable by their creators.
At present, it is unclear how far the development of TruthGPT has progressed, if it exists at all. However, Musk's mention of the project during his interview with Carlson suggests that he is genuinely committed to its realization. In addition, he has discreetly founded a new AI company, X.AI, in March, further indicating his serious intentions in the field of artificial intelligence.
