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AI Images Create Confusion as Real Gang of Monkeys Roams St. Louis

AI Images Create Confusion as Real Gang of Monkeys Roams St. Louis

Last Thursday, vervet monkeys were spotted near a park in St. Louis. Nobody knows who owns the monkeys or why they’re roaming around loose. But as police and health officials in the city are trying to keep an eye out for the little guys, one wrinkle of our modern age is complicating things. People are posting AI-generated pictures and videos to social media claiming to have found the monkeys, according to the Associated Press.

“The Department of Health first became aware of the situation through reports from residents, as well as a sighting reported by a St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Officer. Currently, the origin of these animals is unknown,” the local health department told First Alert 4.

“A Department of Health Animal Care and Control Officer was dispatched on Thursday, Jan. 8, to investigate, but was not able to locate the animals. On Friday, Jan. 9, several officers patrolled the area based on continued reports of sightings, but the monkeys have still not been found,” the department’s statement continued.

St. Louis Department of Health spokesperson Willie Springer told the AP that people have been posting fake images of the monkeys online, even claiming to have captured the monkeys. And it’s hard to tell what’s real.

“It’s been a lot in regard to AI and what’s genuine and what’s not,” Springer told the AP. “People are just having fun. Like I don’t think anyone means harm.” The Health Department didn’t immediately respond to questions from Gizmodo on Monday afternoon.

Some of the fake monkey images are pretty transparently fake, like those in the form of Instagram reels set to music from the Monkees music group. Others also show the Sora watermark, indicating they were created with OpenAI’s video creation tool. But a large percentage of the public doesn’t seem to know that a Sora watermark means a video is fake.

Then there are the AI videos that show the monkeys doing ridiculous things, like stealing cars:

To top it all off, there are also claims that a random goat is roaming around St. Louis, though photos posted to Facebook could be AI as well. It’s hard to tell in the age of AI, when you literally can’t believe your own eyes anymore.

Animal control is reportedly talking with experts at the St. Louis Zoo in an effort to find the monkeys. But even if they’re found, the owners are unlikely to come forward, according to First Alert 4. It’s illegal to keep monkeys in the city.

Anyone in St. Louis who spots monkeys (in real life, not online) is being asked to call Animal Care and Control at 314-657-1500.



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#Images #Create #Confusion #Real #Gang #Monkeys #Roams #Louis


Tim Cook is finally stepping down as Apple’s CEO after 15 years at the helm. On Thursday, his recently named successor, John Ternus, made his first earnings call cameo as the incoming CEO and gave a veiled glimpse into what Apple enthusiasts could expect from his tenure.

“We have an incredible roadmap ahead, and while you’re not going to get me to talk about the details of that roadmap, suffice it to say, this is the most exciting time in my 25-year career at Apple to be building products and services,” Ternus told investors.

When asked about his advice for Ternus, Cook said to “never forget” that Apple users are “the North Star for the company.”

“We’re about making the best products in the world that really enrich other people’s lives. And if you keep focusing on that and make your decisions around that, it will produce a great business, and we’ll be able to build more products and do it all over again,” Cook said on the call. “Our roadmap is incredible, and most importantly, we have the right leader ready to step into the role. As I have said, there is no one on this planet I trust more to lead Apple into the future than John Ternus.”

Ternus’s term as CEO will begin in September. Though the executives are keeping the product roadmap secret for now, a foldable iPhone is expected, and Apple wants Ternus to be the face people associate with it.

In his current role, Ternus leads the company’s hardware engineering efforts. The prospect of having a hardware specialist in charge has excited Apple fans who have been unsatisfied with what they claim is a slowdown of innovation in product releases. Cook has been blamed for this lack of revolutionary changes.

But while he may not have been as innovative as Steve Jobs, Cook oversaw the company’s transition into a trillion-dollar behemoth four times over. On Thursday’s earnings call, Ternus promised to continue Cook’s style of financial leadership.

“One of the hallmarks of Tim’s tenure has been a deep thoughtfulness, deliberateness, and discipline when it comes to the financial decision-making of the company, and I want you to know that is something Kevan and I intend to continue when I transition into the role in September,” Ternus told investors (Kevan being Apple CFO Kevan Parekh).

Apple is already promoting Ternus’ hardware engineering prowess as a benefit for the company. On the call, Cook shared that the iPhone 17 family, which was spearheaded by Ternus, is currently the most popular product lineup in Apple’s history.

Products aside, Ternus will also have a lot to answer for on the artificial intelligence side. The tech giant has been taking things slow on AI, while peers like Google and Microsoft soar past with AI innovations. The company has long promised a major leap in AI with an enhanced Siri, but had to push back the release at the very last minute in March 2025. The delay disappointed fans, reportedly caused an internal rift at the company, and even led to federal lawsuits accusing Apple of false advertising. The personalized Siri was expected to arrive early this year, but was reportedly delayed yet again.

In the call, Cook reiterated that the “more personalized Siri” would still be revealed later this year.

#Apples #Incoming #CEO #Earnings #Call #DebutApple,john ternus">Apple’s Incoming CEO Makes His Earnings Call Debut
                Tim Cook is finally stepping down as Apple’s CEO after 15 years at the helm. On Thursday, his recently named successor, John Ternus, made his first earnings call cameo as the incoming CEO and gave a veiled glimpse into what Apple enthusiasts could expect from his tenure.

 “We have an incredible roadmap ahead, and while you’re not going to get me to talk about the details of that roadmap, suffice it to say, this is the most exciting time in my 25-year career at Apple to be building products and services,” Ternus told investors. When asked about his advice for Ternus, Cook said to “never forget” that Apple users are “the North Star for the company.” “We’re about making the best products in the world that really enrich other people’s lives. And if you keep focusing on that and make your decisions around that, it will produce a great business, and we’ll be able to build more products and do it all over again,” Cook said on the call. “Our roadmap is incredible, and most importantly, we have the right leader ready to step into the role. As I have said, there is no one on this planet I trust more to lead Apple into the future than John Ternus.”

 Ternus’s term as CEO will begin in September. Though the executives are keeping the product roadmap secret for now, a foldable iPhone is expected, and Apple wants Ternus to be the face people associate with it. In his current role, Ternus leads the company’s hardware engineering efforts. The prospect of having a hardware specialist in charge has excited Apple fans who have been unsatisfied with what they claim is a slowdown of innovation in product releases. Cook has been blamed for this lack of revolutionary changes.

 But while he may not have been as innovative as Steve Jobs, Cook oversaw the company’s transition into a trillion-dollar behemoth four times over. On Thursday’s earnings call, Ternus promised to continue Cook’s style of financial leadership. “One of the hallmarks of Tim’s tenure has been a deep thoughtfulness, deliberateness, and discipline when it comes to the financial decision-making of the company, and I want you to know that is something Kevan and I intend to continue when I transition into the role in September,” Ternus told investors (Kevan being Apple CFO Kevan Parekh).

 Apple is already promoting Ternus’ hardware engineering prowess as a benefit for the company. On the call, Cook shared that the iPhone 17 family, which was spearheaded by Ternus, is currently the most popular product lineup in Apple’s history. Products aside, Ternus will also have a lot to answer for on the artificial intelligence side. The tech giant has been taking things slow on AI, while peers like Google and Microsoft soar past with AI innovations. The company has long promised a major leap in AI with an enhanced Siri, but had to push back the release at the very last minute in March 2025. The delay disappointed fans, reportedly caused an internal rift at the company, and even led to federal lawsuits accusing Apple of false advertising. The personalized Siri was expected to arrive early this year, but was reportedly delayed yet again.

 In the call, Cook reiterated that the “more personalized Siri” would still be revealed later this year.      #Apples #Incoming #CEO #Earnings #Call #DebutApple,john ternus

John Ternus, made his first earnings call cameo as the incoming CEO and gave a veiled glimpse into what Apple enthusiasts could expect from his tenure.

“We have an incredible roadmap ahead, and while you’re not going to get me to talk about the details of that roadmap, suffice it to say, this is the most exciting time in my 25-year career at Apple to be building products and services,” Ternus told investors.

When asked about his advice for Ternus, Cook said to “never forget” that Apple users are “the North Star for the company.”

“We’re about making the best products in the world that really enrich other people’s lives. And if you keep focusing on that and make your decisions around that, it will produce a great business, and we’ll be able to build more products and do it all over again,” Cook said on the call. “Our roadmap is incredible, and most importantly, we have the right leader ready to step into the role. As I have said, there is no one on this planet I trust more to lead Apple into the future than John Ternus.”

Ternus’s term as CEO will begin in September. Though the executives are keeping the product roadmap secret for now, a foldable iPhone is expected, and Apple wants Ternus to be the face people associate with it.

In his current role, Ternus leads the company’s hardware engineering efforts. The prospect of having a hardware specialist in charge has excited Apple fans who have been unsatisfied with what they claim is a slowdown of innovation in product releases. Cook has been blamed for this lack of revolutionary changes.

But while he may not have been as innovative as Steve Jobs, Cook oversaw the company’s transition into a trillion-dollar behemoth four times over. On Thursday’s earnings call, Ternus promised to continue Cook’s style of financial leadership.

“One of the hallmarks of Tim’s tenure has been a deep thoughtfulness, deliberateness, and discipline when it comes to the financial decision-making of the company, and I want you to know that is something Kevan and I intend to continue when I transition into the role in September,” Ternus told investors (Kevan being Apple CFO Kevan Parekh).

Apple is already promoting Ternus’ hardware engineering prowess as a benefit for the company. On the call, Cook shared that the iPhone 17 family, which was spearheaded by Ternus, is currently the most popular product lineup in Apple’s history.

Products aside, Ternus will also have a lot to answer for on the artificial intelligence side. The tech giant has been taking things slow on AI, while peers like Google and Microsoft soar past with AI innovations. The company has long promised a major leap in AI with an enhanced Siri, but had to push back the release at the very last minute in March 2025. The delay disappointed fans, reportedly caused an internal rift at the company, and even led to federal lawsuits accusing Apple of false advertising. The personalized Siri was expected to arrive early this year, but was reportedly delayed yet again.

In the call, Cook reiterated that the “more personalized Siri” would still be revealed later this year.

#Apples #Incoming #CEO #Earnings #Call #DebutApple,john ternus">Apple’s Incoming CEO Makes His Earnings Call DebutApple’s Incoming CEO Makes His Earnings Call Debut
                Tim Cook is finally stepping down as Apple’s CEO after 15 years at the helm. On Thursday, his recently named successor, John Ternus, made his first earnings call cameo as the incoming CEO and gave a veiled glimpse into what Apple enthusiasts could expect from his tenure.

 “We have an incredible roadmap ahead, and while you’re not going to get me to talk about the details of that roadmap, suffice it to say, this is the most exciting time in my 25-year career at Apple to be building products and services,” Ternus told investors. When asked about his advice for Ternus, Cook said to “never forget” that Apple users are “the North Star for the company.” “We’re about making the best products in the world that really enrich other people’s lives. And if you keep focusing on that and make your decisions around that, it will produce a great business, and we’ll be able to build more products and do it all over again,” Cook said on the call. “Our roadmap is incredible, and most importantly, we have the right leader ready to step into the role. As I have said, there is no one on this planet I trust more to lead Apple into the future than John Ternus.”

 Ternus’s term as CEO will begin in September. Though the executives are keeping the product roadmap secret for now, a foldable iPhone is expected, and Apple wants Ternus to be the face people associate with it. In his current role, Ternus leads the company’s hardware engineering efforts. The prospect of having a hardware specialist in charge has excited Apple fans who have been unsatisfied with what they claim is a slowdown of innovation in product releases. Cook has been blamed for this lack of revolutionary changes.

 But while he may not have been as innovative as Steve Jobs, Cook oversaw the company’s transition into a trillion-dollar behemoth four times over. On Thursday’s earnings call, Ternus promised to continue Cook’s style of financial leadership. “One of the hallmarks of Tim’s tenure has been a deep thoughtfulness, deliberateness, and discipline when it comes to the financial decision-making of the company, and I want you to know that is something Kevan and I intend to continue when I transition into the role in September,” Ternus told investors (Kevan being Apple CFO Kevan Parekh).

 Apple is already promoting Ternus’ hardware engineering prowess as a benefit for the company. On the call, Cook shared that the iPhone 17 family, which was spearheaded by Ternus, is currently the most popular product lineup in Apple’s history. Products aside, Ternus will also have a lot to answer for on the artificial intelligence side. The tech giant has been taking things slow on AI, while peers like Google and Microsoft soar past with AI innovations. The company has long promised a major leap in AI with an enhanced Siri, but had to push back the release at the very last minute in March 2025. The delay disappointed fans, reportedly caused an internal rift at the company, and even led to federal lawsuits accusing Apple of false advertising. The personalized Siri was expected to arrive early this year, but was reportedly delayed yet again.

 In the call, Cook reiterated that the “more personalized Siri” would still be revealed later this year.      #Apples #Incoming #CEO #Earnings #Call #DebutApple,john ternus

Tim Cook is finally stepping down as Apple’s CEO after 15 years at the helm. On Thursday, his recently named successor, John Ternus, made his first earnings call cameo as the incoming CEO and gave a veiled glimpse into what Apple enthusiasts could expect from his tenure.

“We have an incredible roadmap ahead, and while you’re not going to get me to talk about the details of that roadmap, suffice it to say, this is the most exciting time in my 25-year career at Apple to be building products and services,” Ternus told investors.

When asked about his advice for Ternus, Cook said to “never forget” that Apple users are “the North Star for the company.”

“We’re about making the best products in the world that really enrich other people’s lives. And if you keep focusing on that and make your decisions around that, it will produce a great business, and we’ll be able to build more products and do it all over again,” Cook said on the call. “Our roadmap is incredible, and most importantly, we have the right leader ready to step into the role. As I have said, there is no one on this planet I trust more to lead Apple into the future than John Ternus.”

Ternus’s term as CEO will begin in September. Though the executives are keeping the product roadmap secret for now, a foldable iPhone is expected, and Apple wants Ternus to be the face people associate with it.

In his current role, Ternus leads the company’s hardware engineering efforts. The prospect of having a hardware specialist in charge has excited Apple fans who have been unsatisfied with what they claim is a slowdown of innovation in product releases. Cook has been blamed for this lack of revolutionary changes.

But while he may not have been as innovative as Steve Jobs, Cook oversaw the company’s transition into a trillion-dollar behemoth four times over. On Thursday’s earnings call, Ternus promised to continue Cook’s style of financial leadership.

“One of the hallmarks of Tim’s tenure has been a deep thoughtfulness, deliberateness, and discipline when it comes to the financial decision-making of the company, and I want you to know that is something Kevan and I intend to continue when I transition into the role in September,” Ternus told investors (Kevan being Apple CFO Kevan Parekh).

Apple is already promoting Ternus’ hardware engineering prowess as a benefit for the company. On the call, Cook shared that the iPhone 17 family, which was spearheaded by Ternus, is currently the most popular product lineup in Apple’s history.

Products aside, Ternus will also have a lot to answer for on the artificial intelligence side. The tech giant has been taking things slow on AI, while peers like Google and Microsoft soar past with AI innovations. The company has long promised a major leap in AI with an enhanced Siri, but had to push back the release at the very last minute in March 2025. The delay disappointed fans, reportedly caused an internal rift at the company, and even led to federal lawsuits accusing Apple of false advertising. The personalized Siri was expected to arrive early this year, but was reportedly delayed yet again.

In the call, Cook reiterated that the “more personalized Siri” would still be revealed later this year.

#Apples #Incoming #CEO #Earnings #Call #DebutApple,john ternus

As the first week of trial in Musk v. Altman comes to a close, one person has emerged as a critical behind-the-scenes manager of communications and egos in OpenAI’s early years: Shivon Zilis.

A longtime employee of Musk and the mother to four of his children, Zilis joined OpenAI as an adviser in 2016. She later served as a director of its nonprofit board from 2020 until 2023 and has worked as an executive at Musk’s other companies, Neuralink and Tesla.

When asked about the nature of his relationship with Zilis in court, Musk offered several answers. At one point, he called her a “chief of staff.” Later, a “close adviser.” At another point, he said “we live together, and she’s the mother of four of my children,” though Zilis said in a deposition that Musk is more of a regular guest and maintains his own residence. Last September, Zilis told OpenAI’s attorneys that she became romantic with Musk around 2016 after she had become an informal adviser to OpenAI. They had their first two children in 2021, she said.

But OpenAI’s lawyers have made the case in witness testimonies and evidence that her most important role, as it pertains to this lawsuit, is being a covert liaison between OpenAI and Musk, even years after he left the nonprofit’s board in February 2018.

“Do you prefer I stay close and friendly to OpenAI to keep info flowing or begin to disassociate? Trust game is about to get tricky so any guidance for how to do right by you is appreciated,” Zilis wrote in a text message to Musk on February 16, 2018, days before OpenAI announced he was leaving the board. Musk responded, “Close and friendly, but we are going to actively try to move three or four people from OpenAI to Tesla. More than that will join over time, but we won’t actively recruit them.”

When asked about this exchange on the witness stand, Musk said he “wanted to know what’s going on.”

In the same text thread, Musk wrote, “There is little chance of OpenAI being a serious force if I focus on Tesla AI.” Zilis reaffirmed him, saying: “There is very low probability of a good future if someone doesn’t slow Demis down,” referring to Demis Hassabis, the leader of Google DeepMind, who Musk has said he didn’t trust to control a superintelligent AI system. “You don’t realize how much you have an ability to influence him directly or otherwise slow him down. I think you know I’m not a malicious person, but in this case it feels fundamentally irresponsible to not find a way to slow or alter his path.”

Roughly two months later, in an email from April 23, 2018, Zilis updated Musk on OpenAI’s fundraising efforts and progress on a project to develop an AI that could play video games. In the same message, she said she had reallocated most of her time away from OpenAI to his other companies, Neuralink and Tesla, but told him, “If you’d prefer I pull more hours back to OpenAI oversight please let me know.”

Almost a year earlier, in the summer of 2017, OpenAI’s cofounders had started negotiating changes to the organization’s corporate structure—Musk wanted control of the company to start out. In an email from August 28, 2017, Zilis wrote to Musk that she had met with OpenAI president Greg Brockman and cofounder Ilya Sutskever to discuss how equity would be divided up in the new company. She summarized points from the meeting, including that Brockman and Sutskever thought one person shouldn’t have unilateral power over AGI, should they develop it. Musk wrote back to Zilis, “This is very annoying. Please encourage them to go start a company. I’ve had enough.”

#Shivon #Zilis #Operated #Elon #Musks #OpenAI #Insidermodel behavior,artificial intelligence,openai,elon musk,sam altman,neuralink,musk v. altman trial">How Shivon Zilis Operated as Elon Musk’s OpenAI InsiderAs the first week of trial in Musk v. Altman comes to a close, one person has emerged as a critical behind-the-scenes manager of communications and egos in OpenAI’s early years: Shivon Zilis.A longtime employee of Musk and the mother to four of his children, Zilis joined OpenAI as an adviser in 2016. She later served as a director of its nonprofit board from 2020 until 2023 and has worked as an executive at Musk’s other companies, Neuralink and Tesla.When asked about the nature of his relationship with Zilis in court, Musk offered several answers. At one point, he called her a “chief of staff.” Later, a “close adviser.” At another point, he said “we live together, and she’s the mother of four of my children,” though Zilis said in a deposition that Musk is more of a regular guest and maintains his own residence. Last September, Zilis told OpenAI’s attorneys that she became romantic with Musk around 2016 after she had become an informal adviser to OpenAI. They had their first two children in 2021, she said.But OpenAI’s lawyers have made the case in witness testimonies and evidence that her most important role, as it pertains to this lawsuit, is being a covert liaison between OpenAI and Musk, even years after he left the nonprofit’s board in February 2018.“Do you prefer I stay close and friendly to OpenAI to keep info flowing or begin to disassociate? Trust game is about to get tricky so any guidance for how to do right by you is appreciated,” Zilis wrote in a text message to Musk on February 16, 2018, days before OpenAI announced he was leaving the board. Musk responded, “Close and friendly, but we are going to actively try to move three or four people from OpenAI to Tesla. More than that will join over time, but we won’t actively recruit them.”When asked about this exchange on the witness stand, Musk said he “wanted to know what’s going on.”In the same text thread, Musk wrote, “There is little chance of OpenAI being a serious force if I focus on Tesla AI.” Zilis reaffirmed him, saying: “There is very low probability of a good future if someone doesn’t slow Demis down,” referring to Demis Hassabis, the leader of Google DeepMind, who Musk has said he didn’t trust to control a superintelligent AI system. “You don’t realize how much you have an ability to influence him directly or otherwise slow him down. I think you know I’m not a malicious person, but in this case it feels fundamentally irresponsible to not find a way to slow or alter his path.”Roughly two months later, in an email from April 23, 2018, Zilis updated Musk on OpenAI’s fundraising efforts and progress on a project to develop an AI that could play video games. In the same message, she said she had reallocated most of her time away from OpenAI to his other companies, Neuralink and Tesla, but told him, “If you’d prefer I pull more hours back to OpenAI oversight please let me know.”Almost a year earlier, in the summer of 2017, OpenAI’s cofounders had started negotiating changes to the organization’s corporate structure—Musk wanted control of the company to start out. In an email from August 28, 2017, Zilis wrote to Musk that she had met with OpenAI president Greg Brockman and cofounder Ilya Sutskever to discuss how equity would be divided up in the new company. She summarized points from the meeting, including that Brockman and Sutskever thought one person shouldn’t have unilateral power over AGI, should they develop it. Musk wrote back to Zilis, “This is very annoying. Please encourage them to go start a company. I’ve had enough.”#Shivon #Zilis #Operated #Elon #Musks #OpenAI #Insidermodel behavior,artificial intelligence,openai,elon musk,sam altman,neuralink,musk v. altman trial

trial in Musk v. Altman comes to a close, one person has emerged as a critical behind-the-scenes manager of communications and egos in OpenAI’s early years: Shivon Zilis.

A longtime employee of Musk and the mother to four of his children, Zilis joined OpenAI as an adviser in 2016. She later served as a director of its nonprofit board from 2020 until 2023 and has worked as an executive at Musk’s other companies, Neuralink and Tesla.

When asked about the nature of his relationship with Zilis in court, Musk offered several answers. At one point, he called her a “chief of staff.” Later, a “close adviser.” At another point, he said “we live together, and she’s the mother of four of my children,” though Zilis said in a deposition that Musk is more of a regular guest and maintains his own residence. Last September, Zilis told OpenAI’s attorneys that she became romantic with Musk around 2016 after she had become an informal adviser to OpenAI. They had their first two children in 2021, she said.

But OpenAI’s lawyers have made the case in witness testimonies and evidence that her most important role, as it pertains to this lawsuit, is being a covert liaison between OpenAI and Musk, even years after he left the nonprofit’s board in February 2018.

“Do you prefer I stay close and friendly to OpenAI to keep info flowing or begin to disassociate? Trust game is about to get tricky so any guidance for how to do right by you is appreciated,” Zilis wrote in a text message to Musk on February 16, 2018, days before OpenAI announced he was leaving the board. Musk responded, “Close and friendly, but we are going to actively try to move three or four people from OpenAI to Tesla. More than that will join over time, but we won’t actively recruit them.”

When asked about this exchange on the witness stand, Musk said he “wanted to know what’s going on.”

In the same text thread, Musk wrote, “There is little chance of OpenAI being a serious force if I focus on Tesla AI.” Zilis reaffirmed him, saying: “There is very low probability of a good future if someone doesn’t slow Demis down,” referring to Demis Hassabis, the leader of Google DeepMind, who Musk has said he didn’t trust to control a superintelligent AI system. “You don’t realize how much you have an ability to influence him directly or otherwise slow him down. I think you know I’m not a malicious person, but in this case it feels fundamentally irresponsible to not find a way to slow or alter his path.”

Roughly two months later, in an email from April 23, 2018, Zilis updated Musk on OpenAI’s fundraising efforts and progress on a project to develop an AI that could play video games. In the same message, she said she had reallocated most of her time away from OpenAI to his other companies, Neuralink and Tesla, but told him, “If you’d prefer I pull more hours back to OpenAI oversight please let me know.”

Almost a year earlier, in the summer of 2017, OpenAI’s cofounders had started negotiating changes to the organization’s corporate structure—Musk wanted control of the company to start out. In an email from August 28, 2017, Zilis wrote to Musk that she had met with OpenAI president Greg Brockman and cofounder Ilya Sutskever to discuss how equity would be divided up in the new company. She summarized points from the meeting, including that Brockman and Sutskever thought one person shouldn’t have unilateral power over AGI, should they develop it. Musk wrote back to Zilis, “This is very annoying. Please encourage them to go start a company. I’ve had enough.”

#Shivon #Zilis #Operated #Elon #Musks #OpenAI #Insidermodel behavior,artificial intelligence,openai,elon musk,sam altman,neuralink,musk v. altman trial">How Shivon Zilis Operated as Elon Musk’s OpenAI Insider

As the first week of trial in Musk v. Altman comes to a close, one person has emerged as a critical behind-the-scenes manager of communications and egos in OpenAI’s early years: Shivon Zilis.

A longtime employee of Musk and the mother to four of his children, Zilis joined OpenAI as an adviser in 2016. She later served as a director of its nonprofit board from 2020 until 2023 and has worked as an executive at Musk’s other companies, Neuralink and Tesla.

When asked about the nature of his relationship with Zilis in court, Musk offered several answers. At one point, he called her a “chief of staff.” Later, a “close adviser.” At another point, he said “we live together, and she’s the mother of four of my children,” though Zilis said in a deposition that Musk is more of a regular guest and maintains his own residence. Last September, Zilis told OpenAI’s attorneys that she became romantic with Musk around 2016 after she had become an informal adviser to OpenAI. They had their first two children in 2021, she said.

But OpenAI’s lawyers have made the case in witness testimonies and evidence that her most important role, as it pertains to this lawsuit, is being a covert liaison between OpenAI and Musk, even years after he left the nonprofit’s board in February 2018.

“Do you prefer I stay close and friendly to OpenAI to keep info flowing or begin to disassociate? Trust game is about to get tricky so any guidance for how to do right by you is appreciated,” Zilis wrote in a text message to Musk on February 16, 2018, days before OpenAI announced he was leaving the board. Musk responded, “Close and friendly, but we are going to actively try to move three or four people from OpenAI to Tesla. More than that will join over time, but we won’t actively recruit them.”

When asked about this exchange on the witness stand, Musk said he “wanted to know what’s going on.”

In the same text thread, Musk wrote, “There is little chance of OpenAI being a serious force if I focus on Tesla AI.” Zilis reaffirmed him, saying: “There is very low probability of a good future if someone doesn’t slow Demis down,” referring to Demis Hassabis, the leader of Google DeepMind, who Musk has said he didn’t trust to control a superintelligent AI system. “You don’t realize how much you have an ability to influence him directly or otherwise slow him down. I think you know I’m not a malicious person, but in this case it feels fundamentally irresponsible to not find a way to slow or alter his path.”

Roughly two months later, in an email from April 23, 2018, Zilis updated Musk on OpenAI’s fundraising efforts and progress on a project to develop an AI that could play video games. In the same message, she said she had reallocated most of her time away from OpenAI to his other companies, Neuralink and Tesla, but told him, “If you’d prefer I pull more hours back to OpenAI oversight please let me know.”

Almost a year earlier, in the summer of 2017, OpenAI’s cofounders had started negotiating changes to the organization’s corporate structure—Musk wanted control of the company to start out. In an email from August 28, 2017, Zilis wrote to Musk that she had met with OpenAI president Greg Brockman and cofounder Ilya Sutskever to discuss how equity would be divided up in the new company. She summarized points from the meeting, including that Brockman and Sutskever thought one person shouldn’t have unilateral power over AGI, should they develop it. Musk wrote back to Zilis, “This is very annoying. Please encourage them to go start a company. I’ve had enough.”

#Shivon #Zilis #Operated #Elon #Musks #OpenAI #Insidermodel behavior,artificial intelligence,openai,elon musk,sam altman,neuralink,musk v. altman trial

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