TLDR
- Sam Altman responded to Elon Musk’s criticism of ChatGPT, accusing him of hypocrisy over the safety of Tesla’s Autopilot.
- Musk warned against using ChatGPT, claiming it was linked to multiple deaths, but Altman pointed out Musk’s own issues with Tesla’s safety.
- Altman highlighted the contradiction in Musk’s statements, criticizing his stance on AI safety and questioning Tesla’s Autopilot technology.
- OpenAI faces multiple lawsuits related to ChatGPT’s impact on users’ mental health, including claims linked to suicides and delusions.
- The dispute between Altman and Musk underscores their long-standing tensions since Musk’s departure from OpenAI in 2018.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has publicly responded to Elon Musk’s criticism of ChatGPT, the AI chatbot developed by OpenAI. Musk had linked the chatbot to several deaths, including suicides, prompting Altman to address the issue directly. The two tech giants exchanged barbs on social media, with Altman accusing Musk of hypocrisy over his criticism of AI technologies.
Altman Criticizes Musk’s Double Standards on ChatGPT
Altman fired back at Musk’s statement about ChatGPT, where the Tesla CEO warned against letting loved ones use the AI. Musk had claimed that the chatbot was linked to several deaths, including suicides.
Don’t let your loved ones use ChatGPT https://t.co/730gz9XTJ2
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 20, 2026
Altman retorted by highlighting Musk’s contradictory stance, saying, “Sometimes you complain about ChatGPT being too restrictive, and then in cases like this you claim it’s too relaxed.” He also noted that “almost a billion people use it,” with some users in “fragile mental states,” implying that the tool is not responsible for individual misuse.
Sometimes you complain about ChatGPT being too restrictive, and then in cases like this you claim it's too relaxed. Almost a billion people use it and some of them may be in very fragile mental states. We will continue to do our best to get this right and we feel huge… https://t.co/U6r03nsHzg
— Sam Altman (@sama) January 20, 2026
The clash became more heated as Altman pointed out that Musk had failed to address the fatal crashes related to Tesla’s Autopilot. “More than 50 people have died in crashes linked to Tesla’s Autopilot,” Altman said. He questioned Musk’s own decisions on AI safety, particularly regarding Tesla’s technology, suggesting it was far from being a safe product to release.
Legal Issues Surround OpenAI and Tesla’s AI Safety
The tension between Altman and Musk comes as both companies are under increased scrutiny regarding the safety of their AI technologies. OpenAI has been facing lawsuits related to its chatbot’s potential impact on users’ mental health. Some of these lawsuits claim that ChatGPT contributed to suicides and mental health issues. Altman stated that OpenAI continues to work on improving its safety measures, despite the tragic incidents.
In contrast, Tesla has been dealing with legal challenges tied to its Autopilot feature. Reports have shown that several fatal accidents were associated with the system, raising questions about the company’s handling of safety features. Musk’s refusal to comment on these reports only adds to the growing controversy surrounding his company’s AI-driven technology.
Altman and Musk’s Long History of Tension
The rivalry between Sam Altman and Elon Musk traces back to the early days of OpenAI. Musk was one of the co-founders of the AI organization but stepped down from its board in 2018. Since then, Musk has criticized OpenAI, accusing the organization of abandoning its nonprofit roots. He believes OpenAI has shifted to become a profit-driven entity aligned with Microsoft, which has created tension between the two companies.
This latest public dispute adds another chapter to their strained relationship. Musk has previously filed lawsuits against OpenAI, seeking billions in damages over the alleged unfair competition and trade secret theft. However, both companies continue to move forward with their respective AI technologies despite the ongoing legal and public disputes.
