The billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has spearheaded a group aiming to acquire OpenAI with a staggering offer of $97.4 billion, as reported by Reuters. This bold move is intended to reverse OpenAI's shift towards a profit-driven model, restoring it to its roots as an open-source entity focused on safety.
Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, decisively turned down Musk's proposal. In an internal message to the team, Altman stated that OpenAI's board has no interest in Musk's bid. Additionally, Altman took to the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to quip, "No, thanks. But we'll buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you like," referencing Musk's acquisition of the platform in 2022.
During an AI summit in Paris this Tuesday, Altman reiterated, "The company is not for sale. It's just another one of his tactics to try to disrupt us," clearly referring to Musk, who is also the CEO of Tesla Motors.
Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but parted ways before its significant growth, has voiced concerns about the company's current trajectory, claiming it has deviated from its original mission of being an open and safety-oriented force for public good.
In August of last year, Musk initiated legal action against Altman and others, alleging they breached contractual obligations by prioritizing profit over public welfare in the development of artificial intelligence.
Musk's offer is backed by his AI firm, xAI, along with several venture capital funds and individual investors. Nevertheless, the proposal has sparked mixed reactions within the tech community. Some experts appreciate Musk's drive to return OpenAI to its non-profit mission, while others worry that his approach might be risky and potentially damaging, given his history of controversial management practices.
Key Questions About Musk's Offer for OpenAI
Why did Elon Musk leave OpenAI initially?
Elon Musk left OpenAI before its substantial growth, expressing concerns about the company's direction and its deviation from its original open-source and safety-focused mission.
What are the implications of Musk's proposal for OpenAI?
Musk's proposal aims to revert OpenAI to a non-profit, open-source model, which has garnered mixed reactions. Some view it as a positive return to foundational values, while others fear potential risks and disruptions due to Musk's controversial management style.