The motive behind this deception remains unclear. It could have been an unsuccessful attempt at financial fraud, a prank, or even a speculated move by an advanced general intelligence (AGI). The company did not report the incident to the authorities at the time. The current manager of the fund is OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman.
Key takeaways:
- The person in charge of OpenAI's $175 million startup fund for a period in 2023 appears to have been a completely fake individual, according to a report by Nongaap Investing and Business Insider.
- The documents filed with the California Secretary of State to put this fake person, named Jacob Thomas Vespers, in charge were "completely fabricated," according to OpenAI.
- OpenAI was not aware of the scheme until a journalist asked about it months after the paperwork had been filed, and did not report the document to the authorities at the time.
- The motive behind this act is unclear, with possibilities ranging from an unsuccessful attempt at a financial crime, a bizarre prank, or even a speculation about an AGI trying to seize control.