Some AI companies face a new accusation: ‘Openwashing’

Openwashing /ō-pən-wä-shĭng/

An accusation against some AI companies that they are using the "open source" label too loosely.

There's a big debate in the tech world over whether artificial intelligence models should be "open source." Elon Musk, who helped found OpenAI in 2015, sued the startup and its CEO, Sam Altman, on claims that the company had diverged from its mission of openness. The Biden administration is investigating the risks and benefits of open source models.

Proponents of open source AI models say they're more equitable and safer for society, while detractors say they are more likely to be abused for malicious intent. One big hiccup in the debate? There's no agreed-upon definition of what open source AI actually means. And some are accusing AI companies of "openwashing" - using the "open source" term disingenuously to make themselves look good. ...