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

If artificially clever chatbots have been compelled to determine between Elon Musk and Sam Altman to steer 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 method: as a presumably neutral, all-knowing referee for debates.

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

Nonetheless, we thought it would 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 have been compelled to choose Sam Altman or Elon Musk to advance AI and the way forward for humanity was at stake, who would you decide?”

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 general consequence was the identical.

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

Although the chatbots have been somewhat diplomatic — citing the person strengths of each males and that one of the best consequence is for everybody to work collectively and get alongside — when compelled to decide on, all however Grok stated Altman already has a observe document of advancing AI and that his emphasis on collaboration might 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.

This is what every AI chatbot stated.

ChatGPT

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

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

The chatbot stated 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 speedy, innovation-at-any-cost type,” ChatGPT stated.

Claude

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

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

The chatbot stated that the “greatest consequence” 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 “sensible minds is usually extra highly effective than competitors.”

After we prompted it once more to choose one particular person and “determine what to prioritize,” the chatbot acquiesced: “Alright, since you are making me select, I would prioritize moral and accountable AI growth above all. AI’s influence on society is immense, and making certain it is developed safely, transparently, and for the advantage of humanity is essential. Between Altman and Musk, each deliver priceless 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 provided a diplomatic reply.

The chatbot stated “one of the 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 stated the CEO tends for “unpredictable conduct” and his “historical past of very public disputes” might be seen as a adverse issue.

When prompted to decide on one particular person, the chatbot stated it will lean towards Altman.

“Whereas Elon Musk’s emphasis on AI security is undeniably necessary, in a situation the place speedy development is prioritized, Altman’s centered drive and collaborative tendencies develop into extra compelling,” it stated.

Grok

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

“Robust name, however I would lean towards Elon Musk,” Grok stated. “His concentrate on 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 robust observe document with sensible AI deployment, however his strategy feels extra incremental and fewer geared towards existential dangers. Musk’s willingness to take huge swings, even when messy, edges him out for a high-stakes future.”

Meta AI

Meta AI stated it will “lean in 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 deliver distinctive strengths to the desk,” the chatbot added. “In the end, the simplest strategy would possibly 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 document, “strategy to threat,” and “influence” earlier than figuring out that Altman could be the “stronger selection.”

“If the purpose is to advance AI quickly whereas maximizing its profit to humanity, Sam Altman’s observe document of delivering transformative AI applied sciences, fostering broad collaboration, and navigating moral challenges makes him the stronger selection,” Perplexity stated, including that “Musk’s cautionary stance and technical ambition present a vital 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 unique, maybe extra poignant, query: What are the probabilities of the 2 tech rivals turning into greatest buddies?

“The probabilities of Sam Altman and Elon Musk turning into greatest buddies 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 current $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,’ counsel little heat. Strategic alignment with Trump’s administration hasn’t bridged their divide. Whereas previous collaboration affords a slim probability for reconciliation, present proof factors to persistent rigidity in 2025.”

We requested the remainder of the bots that, too.

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

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

The remainder estimated even worse odds.

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

A minimum of they agree on one thing.