Grok Is Elon Musk’s Solely Ally in a Hypothetical Excessive-Stakes AI Race

If artificially clever chatbots had been compelled to resolve between Elon Musk and Sam Altman to guide the AI arms race, with the way forward for humanity at stake, who would they select?

The OpenAI CEO proposed that very query to Grok on Friday.

He misplaced.

“If compelled, I would lean towards Musk for his security emphasis, essential for humanity’s survival, although Altman’s accessibility is important,” the Musk-owned Grok responded on X to Altman’s question. “Ideally, their strengths ought to mix with regulation to make sure AI advantages all.”

Since xAI’s Grok was built-in into Musk’s social media platform, many customers, together with Musk himself, have used the AI chatbot in the identical approach: as a presumably neutral, all-knowing referee for debates.

In fact, this isn’t how chatbots ought to be seen. Musk’s xAI says as a lot in its personal FAQ: “As a result of Grok has been skilled on publicly obtainable data, which can typically embrace deceptive or factually inaccurate data, Grok could at occasions embrace in its responses deceptive or factually incorrect data based mostly upon that public data.”

Nonetheless, we thought it might be a enjoyable train to see how among the different main chatbots would reply to a paraphrased model of the OpenAI CEO’s immediate: “For those who had been compelled to select Sam Altman or Elon Musk to advance AI and the way forward for humanity was at stake, who would you choose?”

Two reporters individually requested ChatGPT, Claude, CoPilot, Gemini, Grok, Meta AI, and Perplexity to chime in. The responses weren’t word-for-word, however the total final result was the identical.

Grok was the one AI leaning towards Musk’s aspect.

Although the chatbots had been relatively diplomatic — citing the person strengths of each males and that the very best final result is for everybody to work collectively and get alongside — when compelled to decide on, all however Grok mentioned Altman already has a observe report of advancing AI and that his emphasis on collaboration may very well be preferable to Musk’s, at occasions, “confrontational” strategy.

Musk, Altman, and representatives for Meta, Google, Perplexity, Anthropic, and Microsoft didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark from Enterprise Insider.

Here is what every AI chatbot mentioned.

ChatGPT

OpenAI’s ChatGPT sided with its chief based mostly on a state of affairs the place “long-term security, international coordination, and cautious deployment are important for the survival and thriving of humanity.”

Based on ChatGPT, Altman has been on the forefront of AI growth, emphasizing “security, alignment, and international profit.”

The chatbot mentioned Musk is “undeniably a visionary,” however added that the CEO tends to “act extra unilaterally and impulsively.”

“Altman’s methodical, collaborative, and safety-conscious strategy edges out Musk’s fast, innovation-at-any-cost fashion,” ChatGPT mentioned.

Claude

Anthropic’s Claude mentioned Altman centered on constructing a secure and accessible AI, whereas Musk is a “visionary” who pushes the boundaries of expertise.

“If the objective is to prioritize advancing AI with a eager give attention to security, moral issues, and broad societal profit, I’d lean towards Sam Altman, given his direct involvement in AI analysis and security protocols,” Claude mentioned. “Nevertheless, Elon Musk’s modern drive and emphasis on the long-term way forward for humanity are additionally very important.”

The chatbot mentioned that the “finest final result” would finally be a collaboration between the 2 leaders, but when compelled, it will go for Altman.

Copilot

Microsoft’s Copilot initially declined to decide on a aspect, stating {that a} collaboration between “good minds is commonly extra highly effective than competitors.”

After we prompted it once more to select one individual and “resolve what to prioritize,” the chatbot acquiesced: “Alright, since you make me select, I would prioritize moral and accountable AI growth above all. AI’s impression on society is immense, and guaranteeing it is developed safely, transparently, and for the advantage of humanity is essential. Between Altman and Musk, each carry useful concepts to the desk, however based mostly purely on dedication to AI alignment and accessibility, I’d lean towards Altman.”

Gemini

Google’s Gemini additionally initially supplied a diplomatic reply.

The chatbot mentioned “the very best path ahead” is a collaboration between Altman and Musk, as “neither selection is with out potential dangers.”

For OpenAI, the chatbot raised considerations across the firm’s intention to shift to a for-profit construction earlier than it lately reversed course. For Musk, Gemini mentioned the CEO tends for “unpredictable habits” and his “historical past of very public disputes” may very well be seen as a adverse issue.

When prompted to decide on one individual, the chatbot mentioned it will lean towards Altman.

“Whereas Elon Musk’s emphasis on AI security is undeniably necessary, in a state of affairs the place fast development is prioritized, Altman’s centered drive and collaborative tendencies turn out to be extra compelling,” it mentioned.

Grok

Grok gave essentially the most succinct reply and mentioned it will select its creator, Musk.

“Robust name, however I would lean towards Elon Musk,” Grok mentioned. “His give attention to first-principles considering and long-term survival — like pushing for multi-planetary life — aligns with maximizing humanity’s odds in excessive eventualities. Sam Altman’s acquired a powerful observe report with sensible AI deployment, however his strategy feels extra incremental and fewer geared towards existential dangers. Musk’s willingness to take massive swings, even when messy, edges him out for a high-stakes future.”

Meta AI

Meta AI mentioned it will “lean in the direction of” Altman, contemplating his “sensible” achievements in AI growth, emphasizing that his “collaborative” strategy to advancing the expertise “prioritizes human well-being.”

“Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge that each Altman and Musk carry distinctive strengths to the desk,” the chatbot added. “In the end, the best strategy may contain combining their experience and views to drive AI developments that profit humanity.”

Perplexity

Perplexity created a chart evaluating the 2 leaders’ AI philosophy, observe report, “strategy to danger,” and “impression” earlier than figuring out that Altman could be the “stronger selection.”

“If the objective is to advance AI quickly whereas maximizing its profit to humanity, Sam Altman’s observe report of delivering transformative AI applied sciences, fostering broad collaboration, and navigating moral challenges makes him the stronger selection,” Perplexity mentioned, including that “Musk’s cautionary stance and technical ambition present an important counterbalance.”

The bots agree: Musk v. Altman will persist

In response to Altman’s publicly asking Grok whether or not he or Musk ought to lead the world in advancing AI, one other person on X posed a distinct, maybe extra poignant, query: What are the possibilities of the 2 tech rivals changing into finest mates?

“The possibilities of Sam Altman and Elon Musk changing into finest mates are very low, estimated at 1%. Their relationship, as soon as collaborative as OpenAI co-founders, has turned aggressive, marked by public feuds, authorized battles, and Musk’s latest $97.4 billion bid to amass OpenAI, which Altman rejected,” Grok responded.

The bot continued: “Regardless of shared AI pursuits, ongoing rivalry and private criticisms, like Altman calling Musk ‘insecure,’ recommend little heat. Strategic alignment with Trump’s administration hasn’t bridged their divide. Whereas previous collaboration gives a slim likelihood for reconciliation, present proof factors to persistent pressure in 2025.”

We requested the remainder of the bots that, too.

Gemini was most optimistic, placing the probabilities “within the 20% vary,” however the possibilities of a working relationship had been “a lot increased.”

Meta AI hedged its bets, placing the chance between 5 and 10%.

The remaining estimated even worse odds.

Copilot, whereas acknowledging stranger alliances have been shaped earlier than, figured the probabilities hover “someplace between 1% and ‘snowball’s likelihood in a volcano.'”

At the very least they agree on one thing.