Over the weekend, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk alleged that Microsoft Corporation MSFT is forcing him to create an account for using his new laptop.
Musk expressed his frustration on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating that he cannot access the new PC without creating a Microsoft account, giving their AI access to his computer, which he described as “messed up.”
He explained that there used to be an option to either sign in or create a Microsoft account previously.
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Musk’s post on the platform received a Community Note, a feature endorsed by the tech billionaire to combat misinformation.
However, Musk pointed out that the Community Notes feature seemed to fail in this instance, as the option he mentioned no longer existed on the platform.
Microsoft has not yet responded to requests for comments on the matter.
In response to Musk’s accusations, many users voiced agreement. Renowned tech YouTuber and American computer scientist, Lex Fridman, emphasized the importance of easy Windows use without a Microsoft account, highlighting the significance of freedom and choice in this matter.
Several users suggested workarounds to Musk, but he indicated that these suggestions were unsuccessful.
Why It’s Important: Musk’s criticism of Microsoft regarding AI development is not the first instance of opposition. The tech mogul has repeatedly critiqued the relationship between ChatGPT-parent OpenAI and the management at Microsoft under Satya Nadella’s lead.
Although Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 and subsequently departed in 2018, he was an early supporter of the startup. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has seen substantial investment from Microsoft.
Previously, in a conversation on X, a user, also a designer at Dogecoin, expressed concerns that OpenAI ChatGPT might be influenced by Microsoft. Musk responded by highlighting Microsoft’s ownership of the code and infrastructure for ChatGPT.
Nadella refuted Musk’s claims, asserting that Musk’s statements were factually inaccurate.
Additionally, in May of the prior year, it was reported that Alex Spiro, an attorney for Musk and a partner at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, sent a letter to Microsoft, stating that the company might have contravened various provisions in their data usage agreement with Twitter.
Photo by Frederic Legrand – COMEO on Shutterstock
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