Elon Musk has announced his plans to develop an AI model called “TruthGPT,” which he claims will counter the perceived liberal bias of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. According to the billionaire entrepreneur, TruthGPT will be a “maximum truth-seeking AI” that seeks to understand the nature of the universe. Musk has criticized OpenAI for training its chatbot to be politically correct, despite his early investment in the company.
This move comes just weeks after Musk called for a pause in the development of powerful AI systems due to the risks they pose to society. ChatGPT is a large language model that interprets text and produces human-like responses after being trained on vast amounts of data. Its latest upgrade, GPT-4, has significantly improved its ability to complete various tasks such as writing poetry, solving computer bugs, passing exams, and assisting users with online searches and holiday bookings. Companies like Microsoft and Expedia have integrated it into their products.
However, models like ChatGPT and Google’s Bard have occasionally been known to confidently spout outright falsehoods, raising concerns about the accuracy of the information they provide. This has led to calls for regulation as AI technology develops at a rapid pace. Musk has expressed support for government action, believing the technology to be more dangerous than the rockets and cars his companies are known for.
Musk is reportedly assembling a team for his AI startup, X.AI Corp, which was established in March. The company lists Musk as the director, with his adviser Jared Birchall serving as the secretary. It remains unclear when TruthGPT will launch.
Meanwhile, ChatGPT has faced scrutiny from various countries and organizations. Italy banned it in March while investigating its collection of user data, and EU law enforcement agency Europol warned that the model could be used to spread disinformation and be exploited by criminals. The Chinese government has published draft rules suggesting that generative AI services should adhere to the same tight restrictions as the rest of the internet in China.
In response to these concerns, the White House has unveiled its blueprint for an AI bill of rights to protect jobs and privacy, seeking public feedback on how AI should be regulated in the US.
Overall, the development of AI models like ChatGPT and the emergence of alternatives like TruthGPT raise important questions about the role of AI in society, its potential biases, and the need for regulation to ensure its safe and ethical use.
