Sam Altman Rejects Elon Musk’s $97.4B Takeover Bid for OpenAI
Altman Dismisses Musk’s OpenAI Buyout Attempt as Competitive Tactic
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has rejected a $97.4 billion takeover proposal led by Elon Musk, calling it an effort to “slow down a competitor.”
Musk, who was one of OpenAI’s original co-founders, departed the company in 2018 and has since launched his own artificial intelligence firm, xAI. His attempt to regain control over OpenAI has been met with resistance, as Altman insists the company’s governance structure prevents any single entity from seizing control.
OpenAI Board Hasn’t Received a Formal Offer
In a Monday letter to employees, Altman clarified that the OpenAI board has yet to receive an official acquisition offer, according to a report from Wired. He reinforced the company’s mission, stating:
“Our structure exists to ensure that no individual can take control of OpenAI.”
Musk has been a vocal critic of OpenAI, arguing that the company has strayed from its original mission of developing artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity. His competing venture, xAI, is working on its own large-scale AI models, positioning itself as a direct competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and other advanced AI technologies.
AI Industry Power Struggle Intensifies
The standoff between Altman and Musk underscores the growing competition in the AI sector, with tech leaders vying for dominance in generative AI and machine learning advancements. With OpenAI maintaining its independent governance model, the company’s future strategy remains focused on innovation without external corporate influence.
What’s Next?
As OpenAI continues to lead the AI race, Musk’s push for alternative AI development with xAI suggests further clashes between Silicon Valley’s most influential figures. Whether Musk will escalate his efforts to regain influence over OpenAI remains to be seen.
