OpenAI Criticised by Musk Over App Store Favouritism

OpenAI has found itself at the centre of a heated exchange between CEO Sam Altman and Tesla and xAI leader Elon Musk. This exchange highlights the ongoing rivalry that has developed between the two prominent figures in the tech industry.

The Origin of Musk’s Accusations

The controversy began when Musk took to X to claim that Apple was making it “impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach #1 in the App Store.” He labelled this behaviour as “an unequivocal antitrust violation,” asserting that xAI would initiate immediate legal action. Musk’s comments seemed spurred by OpenAI’s ChatGPT currently occupying the top position on the App Store’s list of “Top Free Apps” in the United States. In contrast, Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, ranks fifth, while another competitor, Google’s Gemini, sits much lower at 57th place.

Altman’s Response to Musk’s Claims

In response to Musk’s accusations, Altman suggested that Musk had manipulated the algorithms of X to serve his own interests while undermining others. He stated, “This is a remarkable claim given what I have heard alleged that Elon does to manipulate X to benefit himself and his own companies and harm his competitors and people he doesn’t like.” Altman further referenced a news piece that suggested Musk had altered X’s algorithm to elevate his own posts.

Apple’s Position on the Dispute

Apple, which has established a partnership with OpenAI to incorporate ChatGPT into iPhones, iPads, and Macs, has refrained from commenting on Musk’s allegations or on the potential for legal action.

The Ongoing Rivalry Between Musk and Altman

This confrontation highlights the fractured relationship between the two industry leaders. Musk is one of the co-founders of OpenAI but decided to leave the organisation in 2018. Following his departure, he established xAI as a competing entity. Since then, Musk has consistently voiced his concerns regarding OpenAI’s strategic direction, with Altman occasionally countering Musk’s remarks. This exchange serves as yet another public display in their complex rivalry.