Musk vs. Altman: A Landmark AI Showdown Unfolds in Court
Two of the most influential figures in artificial intelligence—Sam Altman and Elon Musk—are engaged in a high-stakes legal battle that has captured the tech world's attention. Musk alleges that he was deceived about OpenAI's transition from a non-profit to a for-profit entity. The trial, now in its first week, has been closely watched by industry insiders and legal experts alike.
MIT Technology Review's reporter Michelle Kim, who brings a legal background to her coverage, has been present in the courtroom daily. In a recent Q&A, she shares her observations, revealing new insights into how Musk and OpenAI operate, as well as what to expect in the coming days. Key moments from the first week include testimony about the founding principles of OpenAI and Musk’s claims of broken promises. To stay updated, follow @techreview or @michelletomkim on X.
AI for Democracy: A Blueprint to Strengthen Civic Life
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming the primary lens through which people form beliefs and engage in democratic processes. This shift, if not carefully managed, could further strain already fragile institutions. However, it also holds the potential to address long-standing issues like political polarization and declining civic engagement.
Andrew Sorota and Josh Hendler, who lead AI and democracy initiatives at the Office of Eric Schmidt, argue that the design choices being made today will determine the outcome. They propose a framework for harnessing AI to enhance democratic self-governance, emphasizing transparency, inclusivity, and accountability. Their blueprint suggests that AI systems can be built to promote informed decision-making and reduce misinformation, but only if we act deliberately now.
Artificial Scientists: Could AI Become a Full Research Partner?
Large language models already assist scientists by writing code, searching literature, and drafting papers. But frontier labs have a much bolder ambition: to create AI systems that function as full members of a research team, or even conduct entire projects autonomously. These so-called artificial scientists could accelerate discovery and boost productivity.
However, as Grace Huckins reports in MIT Technology Review’s list of 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now, this approach carries risks. Narrowing the scope of scientific inquiry to what AI can easily handle might limit creativity and serendipity. The full story explores what might be gained—and lost—as artificial scientists reshape the research process. This is part of a series, so check back for more insights.
For a deeper dive into these topics, follow our ongoing coverage. The must-reads section below highlights the most compelling tech stories from around the web today.
Must-Reads This Week
- The Pentagon has signed sweeping AI deals for classified work with Microsoft, Nvidia, AWS, and others, signaling a major shift in defense technology.
- (Additional must-reads from the original text can be listed here, but note: the original only provided one bullet point. We'll include it as is.)
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