Internal documents released during the ongoing legal battle between Elon Musk and Sam Altman provide a glimpse into the company's formative months in late 2015. The records, surfaced through litigation between the co-founders, detail early brainstorming sessions regarding the firm's identity and funding.
According to PC Gamer, an email exchange from November 2015 shows Musk, Sam Altman, and Greg Brockman debating potential names for the organization. Brockman presented three options brainstormed by Altman: 'Axon,' 'AI Summer,' and 'Difference Engine.'
Musk rejected the 'Axon' proposal on November 23, 2015, stating it was "a bit too biological." He further noted that the name sounded too much like "Exxon, one of the worst companies on Earth."
During the same exchange, Musk revealed he was considering the name 'Freemind' or 'Freeman.' He explained that 'Freeman' reminded him of the scientist protagonist in the video gameHalf-Life, describing him as an "awesome character."
Musk stated that the name 'Freeman' aligned with the company's goals, as it suggested "maximum freedom of action for humanity." The documents also highlight the presence of Valve co-founder Gabe Newell in the company's early history. Newell, who served as the sole member of an "informal advisory board" in 2018, had previously contributed over $20 million to the firm.
Beyond branding, the documents reveal deep-seated competitive anxieties regarding Google's progress in the field. The Verge reported that Google DeepMind’s architect, Demis Hassabis, was a "constant figure of fear" among Musk and other high-ranking OpenAI officials.
These internal communications suggest that the rivalry with Google's machine learning advancements was a central preoccupation for OpenAI's leadership. The release of these documents provides rare insight into the strategic pressures and personal motivations of the figures currently leading the global AI race.
