Recently, OpenAI was accused of sending police to the home of AI regulatory advocate Nathan Calvin to serve a subpoena demanding he provide personal messages. Calvin is a lawyer who advocates for AI-related policies within the Encode AI organization. He disclosed on the social media platform X that the incident occurred while he and his wife were preparing dinner, when a sheriff's assistant knocked on the door and handed him a subpoena from OpenAI.
Calvin stated that the subpoena not only involved his organization Encode AI, but also personally requested him to provide private information about California legislators, students, and former OpenAI employees. He questioned whether OpenAI was using subpoenas to intimidate its critics in the lawsuit against billionaire Elon Musk, and implied a connection between Musk and these critics.
It is reported that last month, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that OpenAI had issued a subpoena to Encode AI to find out if the organization was funded by Musk. In its counter-suit against Musk, OpenAI mentioned that Musk used "malicious tactics" to hinder OpenAI's development. At the same time, OpenAI also issued subpoenas to Meta company, attempting to investigate its involvement in Musk's $97.4 billion acquisition plan.
Encode AI is dedicated to the safe development of artificial intelligence and has jointly initiated an open letter calling on OpenAI to clarify its non-profit mission during the company's restructuring process. The organization also actively promoted the passage of the SB53 bill in California, which is landmark legislation requiring large AI companies to disclose their safety and confidentiality processes.
Calvin expressed strong dissatisfaction with this incident, believing that OpenAI is using unrelated lawsuits to threaten advocates trying to push for regulation. He pointed out that he did not provide any of the requested documents to OpenAI.
OpenAI responded to the incident. Aaron Kwon, OpenAI's Chief Strategy Officer, said their goal was to understand why Encode was involved in Musk's legal challenge. He added that it is not uncommon for police to serve as part-time deliverers. Additionally, Joshua Achiam, OpenAI's head of mission alignment, expressed concern on social media, stating that this approach could damage the company's image and emphasizing that OpenAI should take responsibility for all of humanity.
Notably, Tyler Johnston, founder of the AI regulatory organization Midas Project, also stated that they received a subpoena from OpenAI, requesting a detailed list of communications with the media, congressional offices, partner organizations, former employees, and the public.
Key points:
🌐 OpenAI sent police to the home of AI regulatory advocate Nathan Calvin to serve a subpoena, demanding he provide private information.
📝 Calvin believes that OpenAI is using the lawsuit against Elon Musk to intimidate critics, and he did not provide any of the requested documents.
⚖️ OpenAI's senior executives expressed concerns about this matter, emphasizing that the company should maintain its proper image and responsibility.
