Meta, IBM and Intel join alliance for open AI development while Google and Microsoft sit out

Meta Platforms, IBM, and a multitude of start-ups and researchers have initiated an alliance advocating for a more open and collaborative approach to the development of artificial intelligence (AI). This has instigated a conflict with OpenAI and Google, who have a contrasting perspective on the future of AI technology.

The philosophical debate surrounding the future of AI has become a central point of contention. There is growing apprehension that Microsoft-backed OpenAI and Google will singularly underpin a technology that is becoming increasingly integral to our daily lives. IBM CEO Arvind Krishna emphasized the significance of this juncture in defining the future of AI.

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, and Google advocate for a closed system for the large language models that have impressed the world by producing human-quality images and text from simple prompts. They perceive themselves as the responsible entities in the AI sphere, maintaining complete control over the technology to ensure its ethical and responsible deployment. Conversely, proponents of open source argue that sharing AI technology can stimulate innovation and prevent any single company or entity from gaining a dangerous advantage. This viewpoint was bolstered earlier this month when a boardroom dispute at OpenAI resulted in Microsoft's role being amplified, deepening concerns about one company having such a dominant role in providing AI.

Jennifer Chayes, dean of UC Berkeley's College of Computing, Data Science and Society, stated that open innovation equalizes the playing field, allowing everyone to partake in the benefits of generative AI. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is a staunch believer in the open-source model and opposes the idea of the future of AI being confined to the secretive labs of a few tech giants. Unlike OpenAI's GPT-4, the model behind ChatGPT, Meta has made its LLaMA models readily accessible for researchers and start-ups to experiment with and refine. Nick Clegg, president of global affairs at Meta, expressed the belief that AI development is more beneficial when conducted openly, enabling more people to access the benefits, develop innovative products, and focus on safety. IBM and Meta are accompanied by approximately 50 companies and organizations, including Intel and Nasa. However, OpenAI and Google are not among the founding members.