OpenAI has firmly rejected Elon Musk’s $97.4 billion bid to acquire the non-profit arm of the company, stating that they are “not for sale.”
Musk, who co-founded OpenAI but has since distanced himself from the organization, proposed the acquisition in an attempt to, according to him, “return OpenAI to its original mission” of open-source, safety-focused artificial intelligence development. He believes OpenAI has strayed from this path and is now driven by commercial interests.
OpenAI’s board, headed by Bret Taylor, unanimously rejected the bid, labeling it an attempt by Musk to “disrupt his competition.” They emphasized OpenAI’s commitment to its non-profit status and its mission to ensure that artificial general intelligence (AGI) benefits all of humanity.
Sam Altman, OpenAI’s current CEO, went further, calling Musk’s bid “insecure” and accusing him of trying to slow down OpenAI’s progress. Altman believes Musk is simply a competitor who is trying to catch up to OpenAI’s technological advancements.
This public clash highlights the growing tension between OpenAI and Musk’s new AI venture, xAI. The two companies are now direct competitors in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence, vying for talent, resources, and ultimately, market dominance.
Musk’s bid, viewed by many as a strategic maneuver to gain control of OpenAI’s technology and talent, has been met with strong resistance from OpenAI’s leadership. The organization remains resolute in its commitment to its non-profit mission and its pursuit of safe and beneficial AI development.
This situation will likely continue to unfold, with both OpenAI and xAI vying for influence and resources in the AI landscape. The outcome will have significant implications for the future of AI development and its impact on society.
