AI Chatbots Favor Sam Altman Over Elon Musk to Lead AI Advancement, Grok Stands Alone in Support

Elon Musk and Sam Altman are two prominent figures in the high-stakes world of artificial intelligence (AI). In a hypothetical scenario where AI chatbots had to choose between the two leaders to advance AI with the future of humanity on the line, Musk's own AI, Grok, was the only one to back him. The other leading chatbots—ChatGPT, Claude, CoPilot, Gemini, Meta AI, and Perplexity—all sided with Altman, despite their diplomatic and balanced comments about both leaders’ strengths. The Debate and Responses On Friday, OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, posed a question on X (Twitter) to Grok: if forced to choose between himself and Musk to lead the advancement of AI, who would it pick? Grok responded with a preference for Musk, citing his emphasis on long-term safety and his bold, although sometimes risky, approach. Grok also noted that Musk’s focus on first-principles thinking and multi-planetary life could be crucial in extreme scenarios. However, the other chatbots had differing opinions: ChatGPT: This OpenAI chatbot favored Altman, highlighting his methodical, safety-conscious, and collaborative approach. It acknowledged Musk as a visionary but pointed out his unilateral and impulsive actions, which might be less suitable in a high-stakes environment. Claude: Anthropics’ Claude also leaned toward Altman due to his emphasis on safety, ethical considerations, and broad societal benefit. Despite Musk’s innovate drive, Claude suggested that a combined effort of both leaders would be ideal. CoPilot: Microsoft’s CoPilot, initially neutral, chose Altman after further prompting, emphasizing ethical and responsible AI development as paramount. Gemini: Googles’ Gemini noted the potential risks with both choices. It ultimately favored Altman for his practical achievements and collaborative tendencies, despite Musk’s focus on long-term survival and innovation. Meta AI: This chatbot preferred Altman, citing his practical achievements and collaborative approach. It suggested that while both have unique strengths, combining their efforts might yield the best results. Perplexity: This chatbot detailed a chart comparing the two leaders, concluding that Altman’s track record in ethical challenges, transformative technologies, and broad collaboration made him the stronger choice. However, it acknowledged Musk’s technical ambition as a valuable counterbalance. Why Grok Chose Musk Grok, owned by Musk’s xAI, had a clear bias towards its creator. It praised Musk’s long-term vision, particularly his focus on first-principles thinking and multi-planetary life. According to Grok, Musk’s willingness to make significant, albeit messy, moves to achieve his goals positions him better to handle extreme scenarios. However, it did recognize Altman’s strong track record in practical AI deployment, but deemed his approach less aligned with managing existential risks. Industry Reactions The split decision among the chatbots reflects a broader debate within the tech community. Industry insiders and experts generally favor Altman’s approach, noting his pragmatic, collaborative, and safety-focused methods. They see his track record with OpenAI and his emphasis on global coordination as crucial for ensuring AI benefits humanity. Conversely, Musk is recognized for his ambitious goals and disruptive thinking, but his confrontational style and unpredictable behavior are seen as potential drawbacks in a highly sensitive field like AI. Company Profiles and Context xAI (Grok): Founded by Musk, xAI aims to create AI that prioritizes human safety and long-term survival. Grok, integrated into Musk’s social media platform X, has gained attention for its conversational capabilities and unique perspective. OpenAI (ChatGPT): Led by Altman, OpenAI is a leading research lab focused on developing friendly AI. After a brief period as a for-profit entity, OpenAI returned to its non-profit roots, reaffirming its commitment to ethical AI development. Anthropic (Claude): Another major player in AI ethics and research, Anthropic emphasizes the importance of AI safety and alignment with human values. Microsoft (CoPilot): Microsoft’s CoPilot is an AI assistant designed to help users in various tasks. It operates with a strong emphasis on ethical AI practices, aligning with the company’s broader mission. Google (Gemini): Google is a pioneer in AI, with Gemini representing its latest AI model. The company’s philosophy includes a balance of innovation and responsibility, reflecting its global influence and extensive research. Meta (Meta AI): Meta, formerly Facebook, has been actively involved in AI research, focusing on practical applications and ethical guidelines. Perplexity: Perplexity is a newer entrant in the AI chatbot space, known for its analytical approach and detailed comparisons. The Odds of Collaboration The discussion also delved into the likelihood of Musk and Altman working together. Grok estimated the chances of them becoming best friends at just 1%, attributing this low probability to their competitive history, public feuds, and even personal criticisms. Other chatbots were slightly more optimistic, with Gemini placing the odds at about 20%, and Meta AI estimating between 5-10%. In conclusion, while Grok stands as the outlier in favoring Musk, the majority opinion among AI chatbots and industry insiders leans towards Altman for his measured, collaborative, and ethically driven approach to AI development. This outcome underscores the value placed on responsibility and safety in the rapidly evolving field of AI.