OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has dismissed Elon Musk’s $97.4 billion bid to take control of the artificial intelligence startup, suggesting that Musk’s move is more about slowing down competition than making a genuine acquisition.
In an exclusive interview with Bloomberg Television at the Paris AI Summit, Altman accused Musk of attempting to disrupt OpenAI’s progress rather than engaging in direct competition through innovation.
“I think he is probably just trying to slow us down. He obviously is a competitor,” Altman stated. “I wish he would just compete by building a better product, but I think there’s been a lot of tactics, many, many lawsuits, all sorts of other crazy stuff, now this.”
A History of Tension
The latest takeover bid is part of an ongoing feud between Musk and OpenAI, a company they both co-founded. Musk, however, left OpenAI following disagreements over its direction. He has since founded xAI, a competing artificial intelligence firm, and has been critical of OpenAI’s transition from a nonprofit research entity to a for-profit business model.
Musk is currently suing OpenAI, arguing that the company has strayed from its original mission of ensuring AI benefits humanity. Instead, he alleges, OpenAI has prioritized commercial interests over its founding principles. The lawsuit follows Musk’s public complaints that OpenAI’s partnership with Microsoft has compromised its independence.
Altman, in the interview, did not hold back in his criticism of Musk’s motives. “Probably his whole life is from a position of insecurity—I feel for the guy,” Altman remarked. He also suggested that Musk is not “a happy person.”
OpenAI’s Board to Decide on Bid
While Altman has personally rejected the offer, OpenAI’s board of directors will have a say in whether the bid is seriously considered. The board oversees OpenAI’s nonprofit arm, which in turn governs its for-profit operations.
The decision may also be influenced by OpenAI Chairman Bret Taylor, who has had past conflicts with Musk. Taylor previously served as chairman of Twitter when Musk made his unsolicited bid to buy the platform in 2022. Musk initially attempted to withdraw from the deal before a legal battle forced him to follow through with the acquisition.
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Musk’s Investors Line Up
Musk’s bid for OpenAI is backed by a consortium of investors, including xAI, Valor Equity Partners, Baron Capital, Atreides Management, Vy Capital, and Joe Lonsdale’s 8VC. Media executive Ari Emanuel has also expressed support through his investment fund.
Despite this significant financial backing, Altman has publicly dismissed the offer. Following reports of the bid on Monday, Altman responded with a tongue-in-cheek post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “No thank you but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.”
Competitive Landscape Heats Up
Musk’s aggressive push to acquire OpenAI comes amid intensifying competition in the AI industry. His company, xAI, has been developing advanced AI models aimed at challenging OpenAI’s dominance in the field. Meanwhile, Microsoft has strengthened its investment in OpenAI, integrating its technology into its suite of products, including Azure cloud services and enterprise applications.
The rivalry highlights the growing importance of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of technology, from search engines to enterprise solutions and autonomous systems. While OpenAI continues to expand its influence, Musk’s legal and financial maneuvers suggest he is determined to challenge the company’s position in the market.
What’s Next?
For now, OpenAI appears to be standing firm against Musk’s takeover attempt. However, with substantial financial backing and a legal battle already underway, Musk is unlikely to back down without a fight.
The coming months could see further developments in both the courtroom and the AI sector, as two of the industry’s most influential figures continue their high-stakes battle for control over the future of artificial intelligence.
Stay tuned for further updates as the story unfolds.
