Earlier this week, in an interview with CNBC, Twitter chief Elon Musk mentioned his propensity to tweet controversial and even, at instances, unfaithful issues, noting that:
“I’ll say what I would like, and if the consequence of that’s shedding cash, so be it.”
This has been a typical chorus for Musk, that regardless of paying $44 billion for the app, he’s not actually concerned about the financial aspect, and that he received’t enable this ingredient to impression his decision-making on the app.
Which, in some methods, is an admirable stance, underlining his acknowledged dedication to free speech, and permitting folks to say what they like within the app. However alternatively, Musk has fairness companions and buyers who could also be much less impressed with this method.
This has been highlighted once more at the moment, with Twitter sending a letter to Microsoft which accuses Microsoft of misusing Twitter information to coach its synthetic intelligence applied sciences.
As per The New York Times:
“Within the letter, which was reviewed by The New York Instances, Twitter mentioned Microsoft had violated an settlement over its information and had declined to pay for that utilization. In some instances, the letter mentioned, Microsoft had used extra Twitter information than it was presupposed to. Microsoft additionally shared the Twitter information with authorities companies with out permission, the letter mentioned.”
The letter is the most recent in Musk’s quest for retaliation in opposition to OpenAI, the corporate behind ChatGPT, and numerous different generative AI instruments.
Musk, who was an early investor in OpenAI, has repeatedly expressed his annoyance that his early $100 million ‘donation’ to the corporate has been used to remodel it right into a $29 billion business. And with Microsoft taking a big stake in OpenAI, it too now stands to learn – and as such, Musk now needs to claw again his share of that income consumption.
With this in thoughts, Musk has already restricted OpenAI’s access to Twitter data, which has been used to gas its generative AI fashions, whereas additionally growing how a lot it prices for all corporations to entry the identical. This newest push stems from Musk’s view that OpenAI benefited from Twitter information, which, once more, he sees as successfully stealing from him personally.
They skilled illegally utilizing Twitter information. Lawsuit time.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 19, 2023
Musk’s public battle in opposition to OpenAI and Microsoft has already seen Microsoft remove Twitter from its Digital Marketing Center element, which can eradicate the promotion of Twitter advertisements to Microsoft companions. It’s onerous to say what sort of impression that’ll have on Twitter’s backside line, however with Twitter’s advert income – it’s main supply of earnings – already down by 50% since Musk took over, an additional decline of any variety may very well be thought of vital.
However as Musk says, the cash just isn’t his main concern. And whereas a public battle with a big advert companion just isn’t a terrific look, Elon, as he’s proven, goes to do what he likes, whatever the penalties.
That features making selections based mostly on private grudges, which might impression all of Twitter’s companions.
It’ll be attention-grabbing to see how this method modifications, or not, beneath incoming Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino, an advert business veteran, who’ll be tasked with reigniting its enterprise relationships.
Will that see Twitter re-evaluate its method, or will Musk proceed to override Yaccarino in instances the place he has a private stake?
