Over a month after recruiting two former DeepMind researchers, Twitter is reportedly advancing an in-house AI project. Business Insider reports that Elon Musk recently bought 10,000 GPUs for one of Twitter’s two remaining data centers, indicating his commitment to the project. The purchase suggests Twitter’s intent to utilize the GPUs for AI work.
The project allegedly involves developing a generative AI trained on Twitter’s extensive dataset. However, it remains unclear how Twitter will apply the technology. Insider speculates that the generative AI could enhance the platform’s search capabilities or help the company rebuild its advertising business. This development contrasts with Musk’s recent decision to sign an open letter advocating a six-month pause on AI development.
Musk has been an outspoken critic of OpenAI, the AI research organization he co-founded in 2015. He has recently taken issue with OpenAI Limited Partnership, the lab’s for-profit subsidiary. However, a Semafor report suggests Musk’s dispute with OpenAI is more personal, stemming from a power struggle between him and co-founder Sam Altman in 2018.
After leaving OpenAI, Musk reportedly stopped funding the organization despite prior commitments. OpenAI later created a for-profit subsidiary to secure necessary capital, including a $1 billion investment from Microsoft.
Following the public release of ChatGPT in November, Musk was reportedly “furious” and subsequently cut OpenAI’s access to Twitter’s data. Now, it appears he wants to compete directly with his former organization.