Chat Gpt has taken over the internet by storm, garnering over 1 million users since its introduction on November 30, 2022. Its ability to create text outputs that outlinea topic in a clear and concise manner, accompanied by its user-friendly interface and availability to the public. However, not many people actually know about the creators of Chat GPT, OpenAI, and what the goals and restrictions OpenAI has in store for Chat GPT; leaving, many wondering, is Chat GPT just a free tool that can be used for questions and brainstorming, or is it a game changer that can influence society as a whole?

In order to fully comprehend OpenAI’s ambitions and goals, we must look back to its origins. OpenAI was founded in 2015 by Elon Musk, Ceo of Tesla, Sam Altman, the current Ceo of OpenAI, and other wealthy technologists. Musk led the development of OpenAI, and its decision to become a non-profit organization; Musk wanted to “democratize” AI technology by ensuring that not one private company or group of individuals had control over advanced AI technology, as this would be very dangerous. OpenAI was Musk’s solution to this possible problem, as the goal of the organization was to create advanced AI technology that would maintain the balance between humanity and AI, and to make sure that AI technology provided as many benefits to humanity as possible.

However, when Elon Musk stepped down from the board of directors of OpenAI in 2018, Microsoft responded by investing $1 billion dollars into OpenAI, and shifting it to a “capped profit” organization. Yet, the cap is a 100 times increase in Microsoft’s original investment, which means that any money that open ai generates will go to their investors (only Microsoft) until they have paid back Microsoft $100 billion, essentially making OpenAI a for-profit company. Microsoft’s takeover of OpenAI essentially means that OpenAI and chat GPT are much more dangerous than anyone thinks in that OpenAI’s original purpose, set by Elon Musk, of having freely available advanced AI technology to everyone is now gone. Microsoft, a private company, is now in control of OpenAI’s advanced technology, and there are no limitations on what they can do with this technology.

OpenAI can be used as a tool for efficiency, but can also be used for darker purposes. For example, Chat GPT can be used to write pieces of journalism in masses that would influence public opinion: this could shift the dynamic in political elections, the consumer market, and societal norms. I am not saying that Microsoft is necessarily going to do this, but who knows whose hands this powerful technology will fall into? What once started out as closely regulated technology accessible to everyone has now become a privately owned AI capable of dramatically influencing society as a whole, OpenAI’s seemingly harmless programs are much more dangerous than you think.