Elon Musk has offered $97.4 billion to buy OpenAI’s for-profit assets, sending shockwaves through the tech industry and raising questions about the future direction of the world’s most powerful technology.
The move is seen as a bid to upstage rival Sam Altman, CEO of ChatGPT maker OpenAI, and slow down his strategic inroads with President Trump. Musk has long been critical of Altman’s leadership and has questioned the financial strength of ventures backed by the company.
The battle for control of OpenAI’s assets is expected to be intense, but the outcome may not matter much if Musk gains control. This is because OpenAI’s board is mission-driven, prioritizing its goals over profits, which could limit Altman’s ability to sell out to a rival bidder.
This episode highlights Musk’s willingness to attack companies that have received backing from Trump, who had announced a $500 billion AI infrastructure project called Stargate. The project was seen as a major boost for OpenAI, and Musk’s public questioning of its financial strength may be a sign of his growing unease with Altman’s leadership.
As the feud between Musk and Altman enters a new phase, one thing is clear: the winner will have significant sway over the future direction of AI technology.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2025/02/11/elon-musk-sam-altman-openai-bid