Elon Musk & Sam Altman clash on X

The ongoing feud between Elon Musk and Sam Altman escalated as both tech leaders clashed on X over reported connections between their AI tools and alleged tragedies related to their usage. While Musk warned against the use of ChatGPT, Altman has highlighted Tesla’s Autopilot system problems instead.

What triggered the exchange was when Musk reposted a claim from user @cb_doge stating: “BREAKING: ChatGPT has now been linked to 9 deaths tied to its use, and in 5 cases its interactions are alleged to have led to death by suicide, including teens and adults.”

Musk amplified the post with his own stark warning: “Don’t let your loved ones use ChatGPT.”

https://x.com/elonmusk/status/2013646828768518163?s=20

This came a day after Musk reacted to reports of a murder-suicide case allegedly influenced by extended interactions with ChatGPT, calling it “diabolical” and stating: “OpenAI’s ChatGPT convinced a guy to do a murder-suicide! To be safe, AI must be maximally truthful-seeking and not pander to delusions.”

Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, responded directly to Musk’s warning in a lengthy post on X, defending his company’s efforts while turning the criticism back on Musk’s technologies.

He acknowledged the tragedies, stating that the situations were “tragic and complicated” and emphasized OpenAI’s “huge responsibility” to protect users, particularly those in fragile mental states. Altman then turned the criticism toward Musk's companies, highlighting Tesla’s Autopilot feature.

Altman wrote: “Apparently more than 50 people have died from crashes related to Autopilot. I only ever rode in a car using it once, some time ago, but my first thought was that it was far from a safe thing for Tesla to have released.”

https://x.com/sama/status/2013703158459978076?s=20

He also jabbed at Grok AI, adding: “I won’t even start on some of the Grok decisions.” Altman further pointed out perceived inconsistencies in Musk's stance, noting: “Sometimes you complain about ChatGPT being too restrictive, and then in cases like this you claim it's too relaxed.”

https://x.com/sama/status/2013703158459978076?s=20

The spat highlights the intensifying rivalry between the former OpenAI collaborators, Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but left in 2018, later launching xAI and its Grok chatbot as direct competitors. Musk’s ongoing lawsuit against OpenAI accuses it of straying from its original mission, with claims reportedly seeking $134 billion in damages. It has once again spotlighted debates around AI safety, mental health risks from chatbots, and accountability in autonomous driving technology.